Ottawa jewish bulletin 2012 11 26

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Wallenberg, ‘a symbol of the Righteous Among the Nations’

By Diane Koven In spite of the horrors visited upon the Jewish people during the Second World War, there are many stories of heroism and bravery by the Righteous Among the Nations, people whose selfless actions saved the lives of Jewish men, women and children.

Several of those heroes were highlighted at the official launch event of this year’s Holocaust Education Month, November 10 at the Soloway Jewish Community Centre.

Robert Rozett, director of the Yad Vashem Libraries in Jerusalem, delivered the keynote address marking the 100th anniversary in 2012 of the

birth of Raoul Wallenberg, the Swedish diplomat who played a crucial role in saving the lives of tens of thousands of Hungarian Jews during the Holocaust.

The fate of Wallenberg, who was arrested by the Soviet army in Budapest on January 17, 1945 and imprisoned after the war, remains unknown, even today. Wallenberg, said Rozett, “has become a symbol of the Righteous Among the Nations, along with Oskar Schindler.”

Outlining the actions – and mostly inactions – of the various foreign governments with respect to the fate of Jews at the hands of (Continued on page 2)

Keynote Speaker Robert Rozett, director of the Yad Vashem Libraries (left) with Shoah Committee Chair Mina Cohn (centre) and Israeli Ambassador Miriam Ziv, at the Holocaust Education Month (Photo: Peter Waiser) launch event, November 10.

New book of adoption stories adds to dialogue about identities and nature-versus-nurture

By Louise Rachlis One is a black market baby, another, an orphan who discovered in adulthood he was not really an orphan. A third is a rabbi who was brought up in a German Christian home.

They are just three of the 18 real people who tell their stories in Who Am I, Really?

Adoption Stories, a new book by Ottawa author Diane Koven, published by General Store Publishing House.

“I decided to call it Who Am I, Really? because, time after time when I interviewed people for the book, I heard that, at some

point in their lives, they had looked in the mirror and asked themselves that very question,” said Koven, a frequent contributor to the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin.

She hopes the book will add to the dialogue about how identities are shaped and to what extent and in what ways it is different for an adoptee.

“I’ve always been interested in the topic of nature versus nurture,” said Koven, a financial adviser, freelance writer and active community volunteer. “In an individual, how much is one, and how much is the other? Adoption brings this topic to the

fore. And, once I became an adoptive parent myself, I wondered how these environmental or genetic factors would impact my own children.”

Four years ago, her natural curiosity and love of writing clinched the decision to write the book. A chance encounter at a golf club with a woman who discovered her roots propelled her into active writing.

“When I went home that night, I couldn’t sleep. … I really felt like a light bulb had been turned on – I had the idea for my book!”

She was so excited, she could think of

nothing else for the next few days.

While the book tells the stories of 18 individuals of diverse ages and backgrounds, she spoke to and interviewed many others and had no preconceived notion of what she would discover along the way. The stories come from across Canada, plus two from the U.S. About one-third of those in the book are Jewish, although not all were aware of their Jewish heritage while growing up.

The book is not a how-to on adoption, she said. “They are all real stories of real (Continued on page 2)

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Page 2 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – November 26, 2012

‘Shoah teaches us the destructive power of hatred’ (Continued from page 1)

the Nazis, Rozett noted “Wallenberg was the only foreign diplomat sent into the inferno of the Shoah with the express mission to save Jews.”

And this he bravely did. By issuing Jews with protective Swedish passports, he managed to help thousands of Jews avoid the fate of their brethren.

Rozett outlined the sequence of political events leading up to Wallenberg’s diplomatic appointment and subsequent rescue mission, posing the question of why it took so long for foreign countries to recognize what was happening to the Jews. He contended that, although information had been available, it was almost impossible for people to comprehend, or to really believe, the extent of the horror. Knowledge did not translate to understanding, according to Rozett.

Jaclyn Friedlich, an Ashbury College high school student who participated in the March of the Living in April, read a passage from her great-grandfather’s memoirs. He and his son, Friedlich’s grandfather, were among those saved by Wallenberg. Without Wallenberg’s heroism, Friedlich’s family would not be alive today.

Ambassador Miriam Ziv spoke on behalf of the State of Israel.

“The Shoah teaches us the destructive power of hatred,” she said. “Through education, we must provide future generations with the tools to combat racism. … We can teach the lessons through the tragic stories, but we can also learn from the courage and heroism that arose from the darkness.”

The Arie Van Mansum Award, presented annually by the Shoah Committee of Ot-

(Photos: Peter Waiser)

High school student Jaclyn Friedlich reads from her great-grandfather’s memoirs about being saved by Raoul Wallenberg during the Holocaust.

ris, one of Arie Van Mansum’s daughters.

Van Mansum, a Dutch-born man who immigrated to Canada after the Second World War, was recognized by Yad Vashem as Righteous Among the Nations for saving Jews during the war.

Also in attendance were three of the children of Johan Herman Ubbank and his wife, Anna D. Van Deth. The couple was recognized by Yad Vashem in 1975 as Righteous Among the Nations, but it was only this year that the Shoah Committee learned

some of their family members live in Ottawa.

Shoah Committee Chair Mina Cohn announced the exhibition, To me there’s no other choice, honouring Raoul Wallenberg, will be on display at the Canadian War Museum from November 21 until January 6.

Cohn also thanked the Embassy of Israel for its efforts to effect the launch by Canada Post of a stamp dedicated to the memory of Raoul Wallenberg. The stamp will be available on January 17.

Nathalie Sirois, recipient of the Arie Van Mansum Award, speaks as Van Mansum’s daughter, Marg Harris (left), and Shoah Committee Chair Mina Cohn, look on.

tawa to a local educator for outstanding achievement in teaching about the Holocaust, was presented to Nathalie Sirois, a teacher who founded the volunteer-run Institut canadien pour l’éducation sur les génocides, a non-profit organization that provides educational materials for Holocaust and genocide studies to French-language schools. When Sirois was unable to find such material, she began to work with the Shoah Committee to develop it.

The award was presented by Marg Har-

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Koven’s adoption stories are ‘a look at the ties that bind’ (Continued from page 1)

people. They are human interest stories, adopted or not. It’s not just about adoption in general; it’s a look at the ties that bind. Everyone in the book is an adult who has searched for or been searched for by their biological family.”

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While putting the book together, she received many word-of-mouth recommendations and travelled around the country doing interviews and compiling hundreds of pages of notes.

“Almost everyone I spoke to opened up to me and said that so doing was a rewarding and cathartic experience for them.”

While the official book launch by General Store takes place early in the new year, Koven will do an author’s reading at the Soloway Jewish Community Centre Chanukah Fair on Sunday, December 2, 2:00 pm. The book will be available for purchase then.

Author Diane Koven holds a copy of her new book, Who Am I, Really? Adoption Stories.

(Photo: Louise Rachlis)

November 26, 2012 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – Page 3

Page 4 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – November 26, 2012

David Blumenthal’s 50th anniversary reunion with the kids in Düsseldorf

By Cynthia Nyman Engel On a recent visit to Germany, David Blumenthal arrived at the Düsseldorf airport to a red carpet welcome, complete with a three-piece band.

“It’s stretching things a little to say there was a band,” he laughs. “When they saw me coming through the customs doors, the welcoming committee rolled out a red carpet and started cheering.

Then they held up signs reading ‘Band’ and made the music themselves. I can only imagine what the other passengers exiting with me were thinking.”

Blumenthal was in Düsseldorf last month to attend the 50th anniversary reunion of Düsseldorf’s Jugendzentrum (Jewish community centre) and found himself the centre of attention throughout

the celebrations.

Little wonder. As the first executive director of the Jewish community facility, the programs he developed and the camps he ran thrilled and inspired many of the kids – now in their 60s and 70s – who came from Germany, Israel, Belgium, France and the Netherlands to celebrate the milestone.

It all started in the summer of 1962 when Blumenthal was running a summer camp in the Black Forest and the leader of the Jewish Federation of Germany asked if he would be interested in running the newly built Jugendzentrum.

“At the time I was living in Munich working as a press photographer,” he told the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin after his return home. “And, in my free time, I was involved in

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Maon Hanoar and the JewishIsraeli student organization. I was afraid, if I took the job, I would be giving up a very exciting lifestyle.”

But, after meeting with the Düsseldorf balabatim, he felt the position offered an interesting challenge.

“On October 15, 1962, three days before my 30th birthday, I arrived in Düsseldorf with two big suitcases full of books and clothes,” he chuckled.

“If anyone had told me then that I would be back in Düsseldorf a half-century later to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the centre, I would have told them they should have their head examined.”

But, 50 years later, he arrived in Düsseldorf on October 25, exactly one week after his 80th birthday. On the Shabbat before he left for Düsseldorf, he celebrated his major milestone at Beth Shalom Synagogue with a spectacular rendition of the Haftarah and followed it with a sumptuous congregational kiddish.

The enthusiastic welcome he received in Düsseldorf was the beginning of a weekend that lived up to, and far exceeded, Blumenthal’s expectations. The three magical days were filled with memories, hugs, kisses, reminis-

David Blumenthal (seated, centre) surrounded by some of his kids at the 50th anniversary reunion of the Jugendzentrum in Düsseldorf, Germany.

cences, laughter, tears – everything Blumenthal had dared hope it would be, and more.

“The post-war period was very difficult for the Jewish children whose parents had come back to live in Germany,” said Blumenthal.

“Jewish groups in nearby countries looked on them as returning to the scene of the crime and wanted nothing to

do with them. The German Jewish kids felt like strangers in their own land, and it didn’t help that many of their parents, who also had misgivings about their decision to return, often said they were only living there temporarily.

I used to call them the ‘suitcase Jews.’

“Because of this, many kids were insecure and lacking in confidence and most of

them found their home away from home at the Jewish Youth Centre.”

Blumenthal had a profound effect on their lives. He encouraged his young charges, aged from six to 17, to participate in the centre’s Shabbat services, and it spilled into their homes. He created many popular programs and ran highly successful summer and winter camps in the Black Forest.

And, after he introduced outreach programs, the German kids were accepted by young adult Jewish groups in Amsterdam, Brussels, Paris and London. Articles proclaiming David Blumenthal the idol of Germany’s Jewish children appeared in newspapers and in Stern, the German news magazine.

Then, in 1968, Cynthia Gora came from Ottawa to attend a family bar mitzvah in Düsseldorf – and the rest is history.

But his kids, now parents and grandparents themselves, kept Herr David in their hearts. And, 50 years later in Düsseldorf, they got to tell him how much he meant to them in an outpouring of love that left him breathless.

November 26, 2012 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – Page 5

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The Ottawa Jewish Bulletin, first published on October 22, 1937, is celebrating our 75th anniversary this year. Each issue in 2012 will feature a reprint from our past. Our community-wide Chanukah edition will include a special supplement looking back on our first 75 years.

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Page 6 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – November 26, 2012

Celebrating the commitment and dedication of leaders and team players One of the proudest moments of my father, the late Harry Halton, was becoming an Officer of the Order of Canada, partially for his charitable work, but largely recognizing his contributions to the aeronautical industry. He designed and led the production of various aviation projects, including the creation and development of the Canadair Challenger and Regional Jet. The Challenger, the first executive jet that could cross the ocean, dramatically changed the nature of business travel following its rollout in 1980.

My father was an extraordinary engineer and problem solver, but what most inspired me about his success with the Challenger was the timing of its inception.

He was 53 and executive vicepresident of Canadair when he was asked to lead the project while recovering from complications from surgery which resulted in paralysis from the waist down.

My dad recognized this as an opportunity of a lifetime, one he couldn’t turn down, even if he was now a paraplegic.

He began the design of the Challenger from the rehab centre where he spent the following four months.

Although his seat at the head of the

Federation Report Debbie Halton-Weiss Chair table was a wheelchair, he knew the project could only succeed by surrounding himself with top team players. This was the message my father gave me as we discussed how he could possibly succeed under the circumstances.

And this is the message I’ve recalled whenever I have been in leadership positions, particularly in my role as chair of the Jewish Federation of Ottawa.

I believe the greatest strength I have brought to the position is the ability to attract and maintain the involvement of incredible volunteers who have brought their talents, skills, expertise and incredible commitment to our Board and committees. I can proudly say not one person has turned me down when I’ve asked for their support. I believe this is due to their feeling they have a unique contribution to

make which is recognized, embraced and appreciated. Our Board comprises individuals with expertise in business, land development, communications, high-tech, social policy, and more, who work as a team in a respectful environment where diverse opinions are encouraged, but also where decisive and constructive actions are efficiently taken.

Our Board, with the support of the professional staff, has led to new directions and exciting developments. Some of them include: • Investment in and creation of a plan for the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin to reach a wider market. The Bulletin has had 75 years of successful publication and the Board wants to make sure new advances in technology and communications are in place to meet the future needs of our community and its agencies.

• A transparent and fair RFP process was developed for the land on Kerr Avenue in which the three organizations expressing interest in buying the land have been provided clear direction and understanding of the process.

• A campaign for the Ottawa Jewish Community School in which the Federa-

tion and the school’s leadership are working together to secure funding for our school.

• Continued investment and engagement in the emerging generation and the creation of many new initiatives. A new division was developed targeting this demographic leading to a number of new donors to the Annual Campaign.

• Engaging our top donors and past leadership. An advisory group has been formed to help the Federation involve this important constituency and keep them informed and actively engaged in our community.

As we celebrate the accomplishments of Judah Maccabee, whose leadership led to freedom for our people and the right to express ourselves religiously and culturally, we might also remind ourselves to celebrate and appreciate the accomplished leaders we have in Ottawa and the depth of their on-going commitment and dedication to the well being of our community.

From my family to yours, wishes for a Chag Sameach and time spent together with family and friends lighting Chanukah candles in celebration and appreciation.

Protection of individual rights requires eternal vigilance During Chanukah, the Jewish world will have the option of celebrating a festival that commemorates God’s miraculous intervention in the affairs of humanity, or a festival that celebrates the perseverance of individuals who triumph against overwhelming odds – or some combination of the two.

I love Chanukah. It is an opportunity to celebrate our history with festive songs, games and unhealthy food. I find the themes of the festival captivating. Regardless of which version of the ancient story you gravitate toward, this is a story about the individual’s constant struggle against the authority of the state to determine the ‘better good.’ Judah Maccabee rose up against the harsh Greek Syrian oppressors to demand the right to worship as he chose.

Since the rabbis of the Talmud were not inclined to support the right of the individual to walk a path different from that which the collective authority chose for the Jewish people, the Talmud introduced the miracle story almost 300 years after the events in Judea transpired.

This theme has been constant throughout Jewish history and nowhere is it more prominent than in the State of Israel. The tension between the individual rights of Jews to determine their own Jewish path and the state’s authority to determine a singular vision of Jewish life could not exist until the creation of a Jewish State.

During my recent journey to Israel, I experienced two very different expressions of this tension. On October 17, Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan, Anat Hoffman, chair of Women

From the pulpit Rabbi Steven Garten Temple Israel of the Wall and director of the Israel Religious Action Centre, was arrested for singing the Shema and wearing a tallit on the women’s side of the Wall. She was arrested because the State of Israel has a law declaring anyone who disrupts the peace of the Wall can be charged with disorderly conduct.

Anat was taken physically and driven to police headquarters. She asked to see a lawyer and was denied this right. She asked to see a judge, but was required to spend a night in jail as the judge was not available until morning. She was strip searched and forced to sleep in a cell without enough mattresses or blankets for the prisoners.

I share this story with you now because it strikes me there is more than a passing similarity to the Chanukah story. An individual wished to worship God in her own way and the state rejected that possibility. Was it not Matityahu, Judah’s father, who started the revolt when asked to pray in a manner not in keeping with his conscience?

I saw the other example of this tension between individual rights and the power of the state to make decisions for the general good when I visited Efrat.

Efrat is what the media calls a settlement in occupied territory. But, to the 10,000 inhabitants, it is home built on land God promised to the Israelites.

The mayor of Efrat guided us through his city and proudly explained why it could never be returned to Palestinian hands. He declared, with great belief, this was an example of why there could never be a twostate solution to the complex issues of the Middle East. He boldly stated he and his neighbours had every right to settle this land and their beliefs superseded any government policy made in the name of the collective

good. He had much more to say about his community’s legitimate claim to the land of our ancestors and about their rights superseding any rights of the Palestinians.

I share these vignettes with you, not to enlist you to one side or another of the argument, but to demonstrate how Chanukah remains a powerful celebration of an eternal tension. As you kindle and bless the Chanukah lights, I urge to celebrate with joy, but to never forget the protection of our individual rights as Jews and Canadian citizens requires eternal vigilance, both here and in the State of Israel.

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November 26, 2012 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – Page 7

‘Things could have been so very different in Gaza’ As I write, on the morning of November 16, just before this issue of the Bulletin goes to press, the attention of the Jewish community here in Ottawa, and in Jewish communities around the world, is nervously focussed on Israel and its latest conflict with Hamas, the terrorist organization that controls the Gaza Strip.

Hopefully, by the time you read this column a week or so after it was written, Operation Pillar of Defense will be finished and Israel will have accomplished its goal of ending the ongoing barrage of rocket fire from Gaza aimed at Israeli civilians with minimal loss of life.

As I write, the conflict is in its third day. Rockets continue to fly out of Gaza and have reached as far as Rishon Lezion, just south of the Tel Aviv area, and three civilians were killed when a Hamas rocket hit an apartment building in Kiryat Malachi.

So far, Israel has been conducting the operation from the air. But 30,000 reservists were called up and troops have been massed near Gaza. Whether or not there will be a ground operation like Operation Cast Lead almost four years ago remains, at this writing, to be seen.

Operation Pillar of Defense was launched in response to a severe escalation of rocket attacks on Israel, which have recently reached levels not seen since before Operation Cast Lead – more

Editor Michael Regenstreif than 120 attacks just in the three days prior to the operation.

As then-U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama stated during his 2008 visit to Sderot, “If somebody was sending rockets into my house where my two daughters sleep at night, I’m going to do everything in my power to stop that. I would expect Israelis to do the same thing.”

The operation began with an amazingly precise hit on Ahmed Jabri, the head of Hamas’ military wing. Jabri, who was behind the recent escalation of rocket fire from Gaza, was a leader of the Hamas forces in its violent overthrow of the Palestinian Authority in Gaza and was the mastermind behind the kidnapping and long imprisonment of Israeli soldier Gilad Schalit. The air operation then continued, targeting rocket launchers and other military installations belonging to Hamas and other terrorist groups.

It should be stressed that, while Hamas specifically targets Israeli civilians, Israel

has acted with restraint in this operation and the loss of life by Palestinian civilians, while tragic, has been minimal (and stands in great contrast to the massive loss of civilian life almost every day in the Syrian regime’s war against its own people).

And, while there has been great outrage towaard Israel from much of the Arab world, democracies like the United States, Great Britain and Canada have stood solidly behind her right to self-defence in the wake of the ongoing attacks.

“We fundamentally believe that Israel has the right to defend itself and its citizens from terrorist threats,” said Foreign Minister John Baird in a statement released after the first day of the operation.

“Far too often, the Jewish people find themselves on the front lines in the struggle against terrorism, the great struggle of our generation. Just last weekend, more than 100 rockets rained down on civilians in southern Israel from positions in the Gaza Strip.

“Canada condemns the terrorist group Hamas and stands with Israel as it deals with regional threats to peace and security.”

I yearn for peace in the Middle East and am convinced the two-state solution is the only way it can be achieved. The two-state solution is the key to both Israel’s long-term future as a Jewish and democratic country, and to the long-term fu-

ture of a democratic and prosperous Palestine. But, to be sure, Hamas is an enemy of peace. Its terrorist acts are aimed at preventing peace and provoking Israel into conflict.

Israel, in a move that many – including, I believe, its top leadership of the day – hoped would help pave the road to peace, unilaterally ended its occupation of Gaza in 2005. It was an incredible opportunity for the Palestinian people to show the world they, too, were ready for peace, for statehood, for the future. Instead, Gaza has been the launching pad for thousands of rockets and other terrorist attacks.

Things could have been so very different in Gaza. Hopefully, someday sooner than later, they will be.

Israel Emergency Relief Fund The Jewish Federation of Ottawa has established the Israel Emergency Relief Fund to help provide aid and relief to Israelis in communities most affected by the current conflict, including such measures as emergency housing, trauma counselling and the moving of young children and the elderly to safer parts of Israel.

Donations may be made online at jewishottawa.com or by calling 613-7984696, ext. 242.

On behalf of the staff of the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin, I offer everyone our wishes for a happy Chanukah.

If you knew Moe Cardash, you knew someone special On November 8, when Moe Cardash died, Congregation Beth Shalom lost a stalwart member, the country lost an incredibly proud veteran, and the city of Ottawa lost a community-minded citizen who remembered 89 years of the old days.

Anyone in the Jewish community who didn’t know Moe, in fact anyone in the broader community as well, really missed knowing someone special.

Moe had a smile that could light a dungeon, while his sparkling eyes would light the ceiling. He was a man of simple needs.

One of his passions was food, but Moe could enjoy a cafeteria meal at the Perley and Rideau Veterans’ Health Centre as much as the finest steak at Hy’s – except Moe would never eat a nonKosher steak at Hy’s.

The staff at the Perley knew of Moe’s religious observances. He always kept his head covered with a cap, his prayer book was always close by, they knew Rabbi Chaim Boyarsky and at least one of his children would come by almost every Friday to sing and pray with him.

Moe kept a beautiful brass Chanukiah in his room. Every Chanukah, he insisted on lighting his own candles and, every

Jason Moscovitz year, he would get the same argument.

The Perley had an electronic Chanukiah in the lobby, lighting one’s own candles was considered a fire risk and not permitted. Somehow, Moe, who had a razor-sharp memory, always forgot that rule. Every year, he had to be reminded. Once, he laughed and said, “Yeah, but this year I made it to day five.”

Moe was a resident at the Perley for the last four years of his life. Bad health brought him there. The most incredible will to live kept him there.

Almost four years ago, Moe lost both legs to diabetes. Confined to bed or a wheelchair, 24/7, deprived him of the opportunity to take care of his most basic needs. But Moe accepted his fate as the war veteran he was and as the religious man he had always been.

Moe never asked anyone to feel sorry

for him. He would never show that he may have felt sorry for himself. When Moe had a complaint, which was rare, he would mutter something under his breath.

You would have to be an inch away to hear it.

Whether at synagogue, or at the Perley, whenever anyone would ask Moe the most basic question, “How do you feel?” the answer was always the same: “Thank God.” Moe would always respond in a heartfelt way, even when he had to find strength from deep within himself to say, “Thank God,” in a loud and clear voice.

The staff at the Perley loved Moe. He was exceedingly polite to anyone who came close to him. He always greeted people with that infectious smile. He would ask the caregivers about themselves and their families.

When it came to being kind and polite to staff, Moe never chose another way, not on a bad day, not on a terrible day. In Moe’s mind, it was never about Moe, regardless of how much discomfort he may have been in.

After his funeral, there was the usual round of stories about him. One of the stories was about how Moe was at an art

show selling some of the artwork he made of fur. The story went that two people approached him at the same time, a buyer and beggar. Moe told the buyer he would be with him in a couple of minutes as he went off to have a conversation with the beggar.

Moe never married. When asked, he would always laugh and say, “I guess I had good running shoes.”

He had two sisters, Bess and Lilly, who both lived in Washington. He loved them dearly and they affectionately called him “Mosey.”

For those who knew Moe in his prime, the memories would be that much deeper and richer. They would remember a furrier by trade with magically talented hands who fixed instrument panels on allied fighter planes during the war. They would also remember a fine athlete who was a first-class handball player.

For those who got to know him when he was ill, there are life lessons that will endure. Moe taught us about courage in the face of adversity.

He taught us how far a smile can bring you even when anguish and adversity are present. He taught us to think of others, and, perhaps most of all, he taught us to never give up.

Page 8 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – November 26, 2012

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Peter Beinart (1) I attended Peter Beinart’s talk at Temple Israel on October 23 and I have read his book, The Crisis of Zionism. I was shocked to read Herbert Cosman’s comparison of Beinart and his book to the anti-Semitic Protocols of the Elders of Zionism (Mailbag, November12). The comparison is just plain absurd.

I agree with Michael Regenstreif that Beinart’s suggestion of a boycott of settlement products would be counterproductive (Editor, October 15). But, as Michael also pointed out, he is a committed Zionist working to ensure Israel remains both Jewish and democratic.

Dani Schwartz Peter Beinart (2) On October 23, Peter Beinart spoke at Temple Israel.

This event has raised some questions, both within our Temple and the broader Jewish community.

Beinart was invited to Ottawa under the sponsorship of Canadian Friends of Peace Now. He was on a speaking tour to promote his book, The Crisis of Zionism, and made stops in Montreal, Toronto and Ottawa. Temple Israel has offered our facilities to many community groups and this is not the first time that Canadian Friends of Peace Now has rented our facilities. We do ask serious questions about a rental group’s philosophy and their mandate. This was no exception.

Should Temple Israel host speakers whose message may not be universally appreciated or accepted? To this I say, ‘if not here, where?’

As Ottawa’s only liberal synagogue, as Ottawa’s only religious institution that encourages individual questioning and posits itself as a home for many different paths to Jewish life, how could we censor the message of an individual who raises tough questions that cannot be avoided and offers a path forward to achieve Zionism’s founding ideals?

Beinart is committed to the ongoing existence of a Jewish democratic state. Of this, I have no doubt. His solutions to maintaining those cherished ideals may not be affirmed by all or even by a majority of Jews. The same could be said for Reform Judaism. Our ideals and visions are not shared by a majority of this city’s Jewish community or by the government of Israel. Yet we would be incensed if a representative of our Temple, or any Temple, was denied the right to publically share its vision of Judaism with those who agree and those who don’t agree.

Temple Israel has consistently supported the State of Israel. Our Israel programming is for both youth and adults.

We sponsor Israel travel opportunities for both youth and Plant A Tree ns For All Reaso

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adults. We proudly honour congregants who actively work for the well-being of the State of Israel. Our commitment to the right of Israel to exist as a Jewish state is unshakable.

Beinart’s presence in our social hall does not represent a retreat from that position.

I have not addressed the substance of Beinart’s presentation that evening as I was not in attendance, having just returned from two weeks in Israel. However, I have read many of his articles and essays and I heard him speak at the CCAR convention two years ago. I do not believe his views, controversial as they may be, disqualify him as an Ohav Yisrael (lover of Israel).

Rabbi Steven Garten Temple Israel Peter Beinart (3) I commend Michael Regenstreif for his column championing openness to a diversity of voices in our community in light of Peter Beinart’s visit to Ottawa (Editor, October 15).

That visit last month caused some disturbing reactions.

Hillel Ottawa students refused to meet with him and the rabbi at Temple Israel came under some criticism for allowing his synagogue to host Beinart’s talk.

People have been muttering that Beinart is beyond the pale. But, as Michael points out in his column, and in the review of his book, The Crisis in Zionism (Book Review, October 15), Beinart is, in fact, a sincere and committed Zionist, albeit a controversial one.

More importantly, Michael points out the need for exposure to a “full range of opinions in the Zionist conversation.” If our community draws such narrow lines around legitimate dissent, it will become insular and divorced from reality and alienate many. His column was both clear-headed and courageous.

Gabriella Goliger Ottawa Co-Chair Canadian Friends of Peace Now

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.

Staying connected has never been more affordable 19 issues of community news Call 613-798-4696, ext 256 or 242.

See page 46 for details.

November 26, 2012 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – Page 9

Congregation Agudath Israel to celebrate 80th anniversary with Chanukah concert

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Thank You All for Your Support With great appreciation to our generous Sponsors, Donors and Advertisers The Ottawa Negev Dinner 2012 was made possible by your attendance I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin on its 75th anniversary. The Bulletin has become an institution in our community and is equally a source of community pride and insight.

I am writing this column 20 days before our Negev Dinner at the National Gallery. We were sold out five weeks in advance. I can’t begin to describe the generosity of our sponsors and the buzz and excitement that surrounded the event. We even had to start a wait list because of the sold-out situation.

Events like this can only happen through the hard work of volunteers and staff. I must say that I am very lucky to be part of an Ottawa JNF family with such an incredible amount of talent and experience. Past JNF Presidents John Greenberg, Norman Barwin, Lisa Cogan and Brian Pearl were sources of inspiration. Our Board members Jane and Martin Gordon, David Baker, Karen Zunder, Rabbi Scott Rosenberg, Jackie Sitwell and Naomi Lipsky Cracower helped with canvassing and donations. Barbara Crook led a team of culinary connoisseurs to develop a menu that looked and tasted amazing. The friends of JNF, including Harvey Slack, Rhona Levine and Margo Blostein brought their unique insight and much needed talents to our Board. JNF Ottawa Vice-President Alan Blostein dedicated himself to this event wholeheartedly and I am grateful for his continued support.

I must say that it was a tremendous honour and a real pleasure to work with Barbara Farber, our Dinner Chair. Barbara, a talented community organizer, worked very hard to secure a great number of sponsorships.

I would like to thank Ambassador Miriam Ziv for her assistance early on in facilitating key elements and making it possible for this event to become a reality.

I would like to express my special personal appreciation and gratitude to Rabbi Reuven Bulka who provided me with insight and advice on an ongoing basis; and also for his contribution as a wonderful Master-of-Ceremonies.

I also owe a debt of gratitude to Susan Schwartzman from our local JNF office for the long days and evenings she spent organizing us all. Many thanks to Gail Grief, JNF Executive Director for Eastern Canada, who oversaw the organization of the dinner, securing a wonderful location and making sure all of the pieces fell into place. No JNF event would be possible without the dedication of our Montreal office – special thanks to Michele Richman, David Smajovits and Heather Foley. I am also very grateful to Josh Cooper, JNF Canada’s new Chief Executive Officer, for his ongoing contribution to our dinner and for his friendship.

I sincerely hope those of you who had the opportunity to attend enjoyed the event and took pride in honouring Minister of Foreign Affairs John Baird, a great friend of Israel.

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 Sharon Letovsky for Agudath Israel It all began in September 1932, when 16 families living in the newly developed west end of Ottawa met in Jacob Taller’s mattress factory for High Holiday services.

In 1936, after four years of meeting in people’s homes for daily and Shabbat services, the group organized itself into a permanent congregation chartered as Congregation Agudath Israel. Two years later, the former St. Mathias Church, purchased for $3,000, became Agudath’s first permanent sanctuary, seating 200 in a single room.

In 1948, after purchasing a building on Rosemount and engaging its first spiritual leader, Rabbi Morris D. Margolis, Agudath’s expansion was swift. In 1952, David Aptowitzer became cantor, a role he would fill for the next 42 years.

As the congregation continued to grow, the synagogue purchased eight acres of land between Coldrey and Laperriere Avenues. The new sanctuary, seating 400, was dedicated in 1966 with then-governor general Georges Vanier, and his wife Pauline, in attendance.

Over the years, many projects, including sculptures, tapestries, embroidered Torah mantles and stained glass windows, were undertaken to beautify and add special meaning to the synagogue. All were made possible by the generosity and efforts of synagogue members.

There is a dedicated group of minyannaires who faithfully show up morning and evening so everyone, either in the city or visiting, has a Conservative service at which to say Kaddish or just enjoy the company of warm friends as they start or end their day with a few moments of quiet prayer. As of spring 2011, the egalitarian process, begun in 2006, came to full fruition as women are now counted in a minyan and can lead services.

Today, Agudath Israel Synagogue has a membership of over 600 families. Our recently hired new clergy,

Agudath Israel Board members at the formal signing ceremony in 1959 for the new synagogue building (seated, from left): unknown, Abe Lieff, Morris Goldberg; (standing) Alex Kelman, Sid Lithwick, Ben Levin, Ben Flesher.

Cantor Jeremy Burko and Rabbi Barry Schlesinger are inspiring and thrilling us with vibrant services as well as educational and celebratory programs.

We are excited about our upcoming 80th birthday Com-

munity Chanukah concert, to which all are invited.

Chazzan Jeremy, as he likes to be called, is planning a fabulous show. There will be a jazz band accompanying various individuals and groups performing everything from

Yiddish classics to Broadway, Jewish pop and beyond.

Come celebrate with us on Saturday, December 8, 7:00 pm, at Agudath Israel.

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Page 10 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – November 26, 2012

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(JTA) – MP Irwin Cotler proposed a motion in Parliament calling for government recognition of some 850,000 Jews forcibly displaced from Arab lands since Israel’s creation in 1948.

In his November 8 motion, Cotler, a former minister of justice, noted that, by rejecting the UN’s Partition Resolution of 1947-1948, Arab states “launched their double aggression of a war against the nascent Jewish state and assaults on their own Jewish nationals, resulting in two refugee populations, Palestinian refugees and Jewish refugees from Arab countries.”

The time has come, said Cotler, “to restore the pain and plight of Jewish refugees from Arab countries to the international peace and justice narrative from which it has been eclipsed these past 60 years.”

The motion calls on Canada to recognize that, since 1948, there have been more than 170 UN resolutions on Palestinian refugees, “yet not one resolution that makes any reference to, nor is there any expression of concern for, the plight of the 850,000 Jews displaced from Arab countries.”

It also asks that the annual November 29 commemoration by the United Nations of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People “should be transformed into an International Day of Solidarity for a TwoPeople, Two-State Solution – as the initial 1947 Partition Resolution intended.”

Cotler, the Liberal MP for Mount Royal, wants Canada to recognize “that any comprehensive Middle East peace agreement must address and resolve all outstanding issues relating to the legitimate rights of all

MP Irwin Cotler Jewish wants Jewish refugees from Arab countries recognized in any comprehensive Middle East peace agreement.

refugees, including Jews, Christians and other populations, displaced from countries in the Middle East.”

He expressed hope the Standing Committee on

Foreign Affairs will hold hearings on the matter similar to ones in the U.S. Congress, the Italian parliament and the British parliament, before which Cotler testified as an expert witness.

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November 26, 2012 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – Page 11

Wallenberg tree planting Ambassadors Miriam Ziv of Israel and Teppo Tauriainen of Sweden help plant a tree in memory of Swedish diplomat Raoul Wallenberg at Raoul Wallenberg Park in Ottawa.

Wallenberg saved thousands of Hungarian Jews during the Holocaust before being arrested by the Soviet army. This year marks the 100th anniversary of Wallenberg’s birth on August 4, 1912. The date of his death, likely in a Soviet prison, remains unknown.

Page 12 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – November 26, 2012

Trip to U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington for students in Grades 9 and 10

By Louise Rachlis Hannah Sachs was surprised at how much she learned on the Ottawa Jewish Community School (OJCS) student trip to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum last year.

“We had classes beforehand talking about antiSemitism and the Holocaust to prepare us for the trip, [so] we thought we knew all about it. But we learned a lot of new stuff,” said the 14year-old.

“We learned a lot about the Holocaust, and we were

like the ambassadors on the trip, because we were the Jewish students. We were with Grade 9 students, Jewish and non-Jewish, from across Canada. If anyone had any questions, we would answer them.”

“It was very nice to know organizations like the Asper Foundation are helping us learn more about our Jewish roots,” added Matthew Rosenthal, 15, who also went last year.

“At the Holocaust Museum, everywhere you went, you got a feeling that stays

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with you,” he said. “I would say to those considering taking the trip, it is a life-changing experience. When you’re older, you’ll look back on it, and say ‘wow.’”

“We’ve been doing this for a long time, and it’s very, very worthwhile,” said Rabbi Howard Finkelstein, head of Judaic Studies at OJCS. The next trip to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington for students in Grades 9 and 10 will be April 21 to 24 and is sponsored by the Asper Foundation and the Jewish Federation of Ottawa. The co-ordinator of the program is Andrea Lobel, director of Congregational Learning at Temple Israel.

The co-ordinator of the program is Andrea Lobel, director of Congregational Learning at Temple Israel.

With the financial support of the Asper Foundation and a generous local donor, the trip is “a fantastic opportunity for students in the community to travel, learn and participate in the program,” said Lobel.

The program’s objective is to promote respect for others and to sensitize Canadian high school students to the consequences of racism.

It began in 1997 in Winnipeg and became a national initiative incorporating students from many backgrounds in 2000. All students are required to take an 18hour education program, or its equivalent, on human rights and the Holocaust.

After the educational component is completed, students participate in the trip to Washington, where they spend several days at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial

U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. (Photo: Brenda Van Vliet)

Museum and other important monuments relating to freedom. The students are also required to volunteer for 16 hours in their communities on public projects that meet program requirements.

The final component of the program is an evening graduation ceremony held to present the students with their Memorandum for Personal Responsibility. The memorandum provides the students with a sense of the importance of their participation in the program and reminds them they have a personal responsibility for the world community.

Since the program’s inception, almost 12,000 students and chaperones from 118 communities across Canada have participated.

OJCS Judaic studies teacher Shaya Rodal has been a chaperone on the trip twice and says a visit to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum is extremely worthwhile.

Following the Asper Foundation curriculum, he

tries to give the students the concept that “it is not only important to look out for ourselves, but to be aware of other genocides as well such as Darfur and Rwanda. It’s a general human rights and tolerance curriculum.”

An information session will be held Thursday, December 6, 7:00 pm, at the Soloway Jewish Community Centre. Interested Grade 9 and 10 students – and their parents – attending public

schools should be sure to attend. For information, call Andrea Lobel at Temple Israel at 613-224-3133.

To RSVP for the information session, contact Benita Siemiatycki at infocentre@jewishottawa.com or 613-798-4644.

Visit humanrights.asper foundation.com for more information on the Asper Foundation’s Human Rights and Holocaust Studies Program.

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November 26, 2012 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – Page 13

AJA 50+ experiences Israel

By Dena Speevak for AJA 50+ Twenty-nine members of AJA 50+ shared an adventurous, stimulating and exhausting 13 days in Israel in October.

Rabbi Steven Garten of Temple Israel accompanied the group, providing insight and leading group discussions.

The tour went from artistic, vibrant Tel Aviv southward to the Negev Desert for hiking in Timna Park and jeep rides through the magnificent, moon-like topography of the Ramon Crater.

From the stark, constant yellow of the desert, they travelled along the Dead Sea and Qumran to arrive at Mount Scopus at sunset

overlooking a contrasting lush Jerusalem.

The theme of the trip was the People and the Culture/Arts of Israel. It was very special to engage with artists in Ein Hod, rights activists in a Bedouin community, goat farmers in the Negev, a kibbutz leader exploring environmental solutions, and an IDF colonel

discussing ethics and dilemmas in the field.

Five days were spent in Jerusalem and one of many highlights was an enlightening lecture on the challenges of Israeli society today with scholar Paul Liptz of Tel Aviv University. At Shabbat dinner in Jerusalem, Rabbi Garten surprised the group with a special guest, Anat Hoffman, executive director of the Israel Religious Ac-

AJA 50+ members at the Ramon Crater in the Negev Desert.

tion Centre. She had just been released from jail after being arrested for wearing a tallit and singing the Shema at the Western Wall.

Anat joined the group for dinner and later spoke about her experiences and her human rights work in Israel.

All agreed it was an incredible and very special trip.

For more information about AJA 50+, visit aja50plus.ca.

Page 14 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – November 26, 2012

8th Day Band to return to Ottawa on behalf of Friendship Circle

By Devora Caytak Jewish Youth Library The 8th Day Band will return to Ottawa next month for a concert in support of the non-profit Friendship Circle of Ottawa, an organization dedicated to children with special needs.

The Los Angeles-based band has become internationally renowned playing original and creative Jewish music utilizing sayings and themes from Jewish heritage.

Led by brothers Shmuel and Benzi Marcus, the 8th Day Band

has a fresh sound and an irresistible style.

They released their debut album in 2005 and now tour the world exciting young and old with their inspiring music.

This unique Jewish music group brings diverse styles together in a seamless blend of folk, rock, blues and even a little country-and-western!

“I attended an 8th Day Band concert in New York that was sold-out and am extremely excited that such a worldrenowned band will be in

Ottawa,” said Sara Loewenthal.

The concert takes place Monday, December 17, 7:00 pm, at the Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre, 1233 Wellington Avenue West. The concert will start at 7:00 pm, with doors opening at 6:30 pm.

Visit jewishyouthlibrary.com for more information about Friendship Circle and other Jewish Youth Library programs.

Call the GCTC box office at 613-236-5196 for tickets to the 8th Day Band concert.

Brothers Shmuel (right) and Benzi Marcus founded 8th Day Band in 2004.

Concert Review

Global Grooves concert brings a special ruach to SJCC

By Suzi Shore Sauvé According to altmeds.com, the definition of music therapy is “the prescribed use of music to restore, maintain and improve emotional, physical, physiological and spiritual health and well-being.”

For the almost 200 people who attended the Vered Israel Cultural and Educational Program’s Global Grooves concert, October 28 at the Soloway Jewish Community Centre (JCC), music therapy is just what they received.

Cantor Daniel Benlolo and his band – pianist Aviva Lightstone, bassist Ken Kanwisher and drummer Fred Cesare – brought life and ruach of a special kind to the Soloway JCC. From the moment the cantor began to sing, a sense of joy and spirit filled the room and people of all ages were up dancing. To see residents of Hillel Lodge singing along to their favourite Jewish songs and getting up to dance is something uniquely special.

It was a room filled with many generations,

from children to seniors. Speaking as someone somewhere in the middle of that spectrum, it was truly a treat to witness the kind of elation the concert brought to the audience.

The cantor’s repertoire was a perfect mix of songs that encouraged active participation to others like “Imagine” and “Hallelujah,” in which he included Hebrew verses, which had us just sitting back and delighting in his beautiful renditions.

There were also a couple of surprises. Flory

Benbaruk sang a most wonderful rendition of “Yerushalim Shel Zahav,” which was absolutely breathtaking and the Tamir Choir sang a couple of very lovely songs.

Cantor Benlolo has a gift in making sure everyone feels special. He has a way of making a room filled with people feel as though he is singing just for them.

Events like this are the pulse of a community. They add ruach, togetherness and life.

Let us hope this is just one of many to come.

November 26, 2012 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – Page 15

“To me there’s no other choice” « Je n’ai pas d’autre choix » — RAOUL WALLENBERG 1912–2012

From November 21, 2012 to January 6, 2013 Du 21 novembre 2012 au 6 janvier 2013

Raoul Wallenberg saved tens of thousands of Hungarian Jews from the Holocaust.

This dramatic presentation of his life and humanitarian achievements marks the anniversary of his birth, 100 years ago.

Raoul Wallenberg a sauvé des milliers de Juifs hongrois de l’Holocauste. Cette présentation dramatique de sa vie et de ses réalisations dans le domaine humanitaire célèbre son 100e anniversaire de naissance.

1, place Vimy Place , Ottawa, ON warmuseum.ca museedelaguerre.ca

This exhibition was created by the Swedish Institute in partnership with the Living History Forum, and is presented at the Canadian War Museum.

Cette exposition a été réalisée par l’Institut suédois en partenariat avec le Living History Forum et est présentée au Musée canadien de la guerre.

Valuable assistance has been provided by | Avec le précieux soutien de :

Page 16 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – November 26, 2012

Students tell us why they love OJCS

By Sheldon Friedman Ottawa Jewish Community School We recently heard from one current and one former student expressing their thoughts about the Ottawa Jewish Community School (OJCS). They were so compelling we wanted you to read more about why OJCS is making a difference in the lives of our community’s children.

Michaela Sadinsky graduated from OJCS in June and is currently studying in Israel. The following is from a message she sent to the school to let us know how she is faring.

“Yeshiva has been amazing! The first few days were a little difficult as I was placed in the second highest level in Talmud (because of my level in Hebrew), but I quickly caught on and my Talmud skills have been improving …

“With all this, I would like to give you a huge thank you for all that you taught me and helped me with throughout my high school experience. I am seeing the product of an education at Yitzhak Rabin High School and I feel completely prepared to confidently travel around this country, interact with real Israelis, and learn Tanach.

One of my chevrutot recently asked me where I studied and exclaimed that I acquired an excellent Jewish education. This just shows the strength of our Judaic studies program, and the importance of all our classes.”

Max Silverman, 13, is a Grade 8 student at OJCS. He recently spoke to the OJCS Board of Governors and delivered his talk in French, English and Hebrew. Here is an excerpt.

“The OJCS has been a major part of my entire family’s life. I am the third generation of my family that has been associated with the OJCS. My Bubby Flora taught here, my mother taught here, and my father is an alumnus.

“This school has served as a centre of education for my family and has helped to foster a strong Jewish identity of which we are all proud. The strong academic experience of this school provided me the tools I need for my future studies. I’m certain of this because the successes of Alyssa, Jacob and Matthew, my older siblings.

“My studies in Torah and Hebrew have allowed me to recite my entire Torah and Haftarah recently on my bar mitzvah. I developed analytical skills through the study of Torah with the help of the many learned teachers and rabbis throughout my time at the OJCS. The school has instilled an incredible sense of charity and community.

Our visits to Hillel Lodge have helped us feel a strong sense of who we are, as Jews.

“The OJCS has not only offered me an incredible academic experience studying three different languages, which has given me a completely different way to look at and perceive the world, but I have also

OJCS graduate Michaela Sadinsky

Grade 8 student Max Silverman.

learned how to work in a team. I have made many friendships over my years at the OJCS, which I am sure will stay with me for a lifetime. The smaller classrooms have enabled the students to bond, grow and interact with each other, and the amazing faculty. The OJCS offers many extra-curricular opportunities that keep the students active and engaged …

“This year, I have been given the amazing honour to work on the yearbook with my two co-editors, Haley and Ella. The OJCS has given us the skills that we need to create this yearbook, such as meeting deadlines, computer skills, writing and creativity …

“The Ottawa Jewish Community School is my home, and I can’t imagine going anywhere else for my education.”

To learn more about OJCS and how it can help your child succeed, visit www.theojcs.ca or call 613-722-0020 to arrange a visit.

November 26, 2012 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – Page 17

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Page 18 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – November 26, 2012

SAY IT WITH TREES 613-798-2411

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To remember

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To congratulate

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To honour

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To say I care

TREES HAVE BEEN PLANTED Condolences to: Ronen Avram in memory of your mother Dr. Simona Avram by Florentina Macovei, by Darclee Ziegler; by the ladies at The Ottawa Women Dentists Study Club;

by Alina & Paul Tanase; by Cameron Jones & the GumDocs staff; by Roxana Mihailescu; by Adriana DiaconuSimiciuc; by Christina Ulmeni; by Alexandra, Lidia, Mariana, Cosmina & Florin Christina Bova in memory of Elda Moretto by Margo Blostein Livia & Peter Brandon in memory of your father David Fried by Diane Crouse & Oliver Javanpour Sue Breen in memory of your mother Mary by Jamie Melamed Carolynne Brown in memory of your husband William Brown by Sandy & Tom Greenberg The Chatterton family in memory of Helen Chatterton by Norean Taller-Harris & family Shirley Chernin in memory of your sister Edie Lecker by Carol & Laurie Pascoe Sarah Chizick in memory of your brother Steven Politzer by Brenda & Marvin Segal Helen Cohen & family in memory of your son Michael Cohen by Debbie & Lloyd Rossman, Jodi & Doug, Jessie, Noah & Sheilah; by Fay English & Sue Levin; by Roz Taller Sandy, Dawn & Shelby Cohen in memory of your husband & father Michael Cohen by Debbie & Lloyd Rossman, Jodi & Doug, Jessie, Noah & Sheilagh Mara & Leo Curier & Lucas Gelinas in memory of your sister & mother, Shana McGlynn by Myra Brachfield Dr. & Mrs. Ross Davies in memory of Betty Robbins by Rena & Max Cohen Lori Depp & Suzanne in memory of your mother Sheila King by Barbie Shore The Drescher family in memory of Peter Drescher

by Sara Shabsove The Drescher family in memory of Philip Drescher

by Sara Shabsove Joy & Zvi Farkas in memory of your nephew Nathan Phillips by Marten & Elaine Brodsky Amy Falkner in memory of your mother Joyce Falkner by Sandra Marchello The Ferguson family & Lea McKnight in memory of Lawrence Ferguson by Carol & Laurie Pascoe; by Marcia & Steve Aronson, by Susan & Charles Schwartzman Gail Fiks & the Kushner family in memory of Ben Kushner by Arnold & Faye Tennenhouse Barbara Fine & the Hymes family in memory of Hy Hymes by Jackie & Kevin Barwin Shimon Fogel in memory of your father Cantor Mendel Fogel by Diane Crouse & Oliver Javanpour; by Anna-Lee Chiprout; by David Herle; by Inez Zelikovitz;

by Gail & Stephen Victor Sandra Valois-Francissen in memory of your mother by Sheila Kimmel Lisa Rodin-Gardner in memory of your father Bernie Rodin by Jackie & Kevin Barwin Mitch & Adi Garfinkle in memory of Shimon Garfinkle by Evan, Randi, Kyle & Shane Shuster Zvi Glanz in memory of your mother Paula Glanz by the Weissberger family Manuel Glimcher in memory of your father Don Glimcher by Marion Silver & Alan Brass & family The family of the late Leon Gluzman by Marion Silver & Alan Brass; by Reisa & Allan Glenns; by Gail & Stephen Victor; by Murray & Bryna Cohen; by Jackie & Kevin Barwin

Catherine Hart & family in memory of your husband Ian by Dena & Herb Gosewich Sharon Hecht in memory of your father Harry Karpman by Susan & Charles Schwartzman Naomi Holzer in memory of your sister Chana Lacher by Brenda Segal Arlene Isenberg & the Mariasine family in memory of Laurie Mariasine by Magda & Peter Benedek;

by Sharron & Barry Denofsky; by Valerie & Gaby Terkel;

by Susan & Charles Schwartzman Cindy Kokay in memory of Pauline Kokay by Gerry Bayne Vera Klein & family in memory of your brother Thomas Grossman by Diane Crouse & Oliver Javanpour; by Susan & Charles Schwartzman; by Gail & Stephen Victor; by Karen & Ian Zunder; by Anna-Lee Chiprout Sherrie & Michelle Lecker in memory of your mother Edie Lecker by Carol & Laurie Pascoe Steve Lerner in memory of your wife Lise BeginLerner by Chaim & Raina Feig Debbie Lightstone in memory of your mother Libby Bercusson by Aviva & Leo Lightstone James Lunney in memory of your mother Dorothy Hilda Lunney by Susan Monaker & Bobby Wollock Will & Judy Major in memory of your father Emil Janke by Joseph Eliot Magnet Eva Pascoe in memory of your brother Morrie Konick by Carol & Laurie Pascoe The Potvin family in memory of James “Jim” Potvin

by Eiffel Construction, Chaim & Raina Feig The Rabinovitch family in memory of your husband & father Sydney Rabinovitch by Reisa & Allan Glenns Debbie & Ken Rubin in memory of your mother Lael Berkson by Anne Mozersky Ethel Saxe in memory of your daughter Robin Saxe

by Marilyn Goodman-Galbraith Betty Scott, Robin Mader, in memory of your husband & father Nathan Scott by Sara & Les Melamed;

by Roz & Stan Labow; by Barbara Molot Sugarman, by Henry & Maureen Molot; by Barbara Schulman The Seidman family in memory of Gary Seidman by Riva & David Seidman Rochelle Silverberg in memory of your father Samuel Sheinkman by Marten & Elaine Brodsky Paula & George Speevak-Sladowski in memory of Harold Speevak by the Okuns Joanne Steinberg in memory of Morrie Konick

by Debbie & Lloyd Rossman; by Sharon & Lorne Chapnick Terri Semanyk in memory of André Zylberstein by Richard, Terry & family The family of the late Ojãrs Dainis Vieglais by Barby Shore Jodi Zaltz-Dubin in memory of your father Norman Zaltz by Jackie & Kevin Barwin Laibl & Bettina Zeisler in memory of your mother Alice Zeisler by Marion Silver, Alan Brass, Lawrence, Rafi & Shira; by Freda & Issie Brass & Hannah Wishing Speedy Recovery/Return to Good Health/ Refuah Shleima to: Bernie Cohen by Anna & Hy Rabinovitch Elliott Levitan by Gail & Stephen Victor Seymour Isenberg by Ketty & Morris Samel; by Helen & Sol Rauch Sharon Kirsch by Anna & Hy Rabinovitch

In Honour of: Sheryl Ackerman on your 60th birthday by Barbara Greenberg & Barry Bokhaut Annette Albert with thanks & appreciation by Anne Mozersky Minnie Bell on your special birthday by Fern Goldman, Arielle & Elie Bert Blevis with thanks by Stephen & Gail Victor David Blumenthal on your 80th birthday by Anna-Lee Chiprout Alan Brass with thanks & appreciation by Sylvia & Morton Pleet Valerie Bryce with thanks & appreciation by Anne Mozersky Arthur Cogan with best wishes by Gail & Stephen Victor Judy Collins on your special birthday by Maureen & Clary Ottman Marion Dick on your 90th birthday by Ruth & Leon Katz Rita & Fred Essner on your 60th wedding anniversary by Sophia & Michael Gertsman Tani Finkelstein on your 21st birthday by Marion Silver & Alan Brass, Lawrence, Rafi & Shira Sandra & Arthur Fishman with best wishes for a sweet New Year by Margo & David Kardish Bob & Mary Geller on your 50th wedding anniversary by Felice & Jeff Pleet David Goel on your 40th birthday by Jane & Martin Gordon Estelle & Sol Gunner on your 50th wedding anniversary by Anne & Ken Mozersky Debbie Kaplan on your wonderful achievement by Joy & Eric Weisbloom Maureen & Jeff Katz with Shana Tova wishes by Carol & Laurie Pascoe Andrew & Kelly Kay with thanks & appreciation by Helen, Jeffrey & Stacey Cohen Linda & Steven Kerzner wishing you a sweet New Year by Bea Dubinsky Arthur Lawrence on your 60th birthday by Joyce Willmot Ian & Estelle Melzer with thanks from Sara & Les Melamed Harriet & Brian Morris on your anniversary by Rhona Harrow Anne Mozersky in celebration of your achievements

by Stan & Ann Goldberg; by Fran & Paul Pearl; by Sheila & Morton Baslaw Lily Penso on your 80th birthday by Barbara Greenberg & Barry Bokhaut Helen & Sol Rauch with thanks & best wishes for a joyful Sukkot by Anna & Hy Rabinovitch Art Saper on your special birthday by Margo & David Kardish Issie Scarowsky with thanks from Sara & Les Melamed Linda Slotin to celebrate the arrival of your granddaughter Samara by Anne & Ken Mozersky John Spencer on your 65th birthday by Barbara Greenberg & Barry Bokhaut Howard & Charlene Steinberg with thanks & appreciation by Helen, Jeffrey & Stacey Cohen Andrew & Liz Taylor on the occasion of Jacob’s Bar Mitzvah with thanks by Reisa & Allan Glenns Johan Herman Ubbink & Anna Ubbink in recognition of their involvement with the Dutch Resistance Movement in the Netherlands during WWII by the Shoah

Committee of the Jewish Federation of Ottawa Yakir Yishai on your 5th birthday by Zaidy Dvaid Shoihet Mazal Tov to: Sheila Baslaw on your special birthday by Anne & Ken Mozersky Cantor Shneur & Tracy Bielak on the birth of your daughter by Ian & Estelle Melzer; by Rosalie & Harold Schwartz David Blumenthal on your special birthday by Gail & Stephen Victor Barbara Greenberg & Barry Bokhaut on Michael being called to the Bar by Rochelle & Brian Pearl Fred & Lisa Cogan on the births of your twin grandsons by Margo & Alan Blostein; by Diane Crouse & Oliver Javanpour; by Susan & Charles Schwartzman;

by Gail & Stephen Victor Liane & Michael Eliesen on your 25th anniversary by the Schachnow family Libby Fleischer on your 100th birthday by Leah, Roger, Marisa, Ian, Linda & Jenefer Jane & Martin Gordon on your 25th wedding anniversary by Rochelle & Brian Pearl Stephen Greenberg on being honoured as Outstanding Individual Philanthropist Alexei Guiller & Tammy Palomeno on the birth of your daughter Sofia by Floralove, Ruth & Leon Katz Sheila & Larry Hartman on the arrival of your granddaughter Sofia by Gail & Stephen Victor Roger & Elena Keen on the birth of your grandson Gefen Phillip Keen by Manny & Natalie Singer Elazar & Chana Krintsman on the occasion of your wedding by Donna & Joey Kruger Celina Brenda Elizabeth Kestelman Kulik on the occasion of your Bat Mitzvah by Esther & Irving Kulik Flo & Joel Morgan on your 50th wedding anniversary by Arnold & Faye Tennenhouse Brian & Rochelle Pearl on the birth of your grandson by Judy & Mike Aranoff; by Rabbi Arnold & Chevy Fine; by Jane & Martin Gordon Rabbi & Mrs. Israel Rabinovitch on the marriage of your son Yosef Yitzhok by Ethel Bloom Kenneth Radnoff on this special occasion by Beverley & Abe Feinstein Sylvia Rettig on your 101st birthday by Neome & Gary Gross; by Warren & Esther Natasha Guiller & Alex Rodionov on the birth of your granddaughter Sofia by Floralove, Ruth & Leon Katz Bobbie & Steve Ruff on your 50th wedding anniversary by Gail & Stephen Victor Beatrice & Hershie Schachter on the birth of your grandson by Marion Silver & Alan Brass Edna & David Shamash on your 40th wedding anniversary by Grace & Jimmy Hillel Lillie Stern on the occasion of Ephraim’s Bar Mitzvah by Brenda & Marvin Segal Esther Cepelinski & Shlomo Wanounou on your recent marriage by Roz Taller Arnie Vered on being honoured as Outstanding Fundraising Volunteer by Gail & Stephen Victor Debi & Neil Zaret on the birth of your grandson Fenway by Felice & Jeff Pleet

Tree purchases are $18 and are fully tax receiptable.

JNF thanks you for your generous contribution.

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

November 26, 2012 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – Page 19

Apply now to Hillel Lodge:

More beds mean shorter waiting time

By Mark Shainblum for Hillel Lodge “The time to apply is now.

Our new 21-bed wing has had a tremendously positive effect on the Lodge’s capacity to serve the community,” says Stephen Schneiderman, executive director of the Bess and Moe Greenberg Family Hillel Lodge, to anyone thinking about applying to the Lodge for themselves or a loved one.

“Our primary mandate is to serve members of our community who need longterm care services,” Schneiderman adds. “But, if you wait until the spring of 2013 to apply, you might find yourself at the end of the queue. Please don’t take that chance. Apply as soon as possible.

“And don’t believe the bubbeh meisehs that it takes ‘forever’ to get into Hillel Lodge,” he cautions. “Generally, for those deemed eligible by the Community Care Access Centre (CCAC), most admissions now occur within three to six months.”

Applicants can only be deemed eligible for admission once the government application process has been started, and “it’s best to do that as soon as possible,” Schneiderman says.

“Applicants are only placed on the list for the Lodge once the application process is complete and they’ve been accepted by the CCAC.” As a publicly funded institution that gets the bulk of its operating revenues from the provincial government, Hillel Lodge has both a legal and a moral obligation to treat all applications coming from the CCAC. Because of its special status as a charitable home serving a particular religious/ethnic group, the Lodge is able, under most circumstances, to give preference to members of the Ottawa Jewish community, including family members in need who live in other jurisdictions in Canada.

All applications to Bess and Moe Greenberg Family

Activities and leisure lounge in the new wing at Hillel Lodge.

Hillel Lodge must go through the CCAC. The Ottawa region branch is the Champlain CCAC. If you need advice or assistance

Temple Israel

An egalitarian Reform congregation

with the application process, contact Joanna

Abrams, director of Social Work, Program and Support

Services at Hillel Lodge at 613-728-3900, ext. 114.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED WITH FRESH IDEAS The Jewish Federation of Ottawa is looking for volunteers to sit on various committees.

Where 21st Century Jewish Souls Journey Together

Wednesdays at noon: Talmud study with Rabbi Garten .

New participants are welcome.

Wednesdays: Torah class with Shlomo Feldberg, 7:30 pm .

Saturdays: Torah study with Rabbi Garten, 9:00 am.

We welcome people with an interest in the Jewish community and fresh ideas. Experience in the Jewish community or other volunteer-run organizations would be an asset.

The Federation committees include:

Thursday, December 13: morning minyan, 7:30 am.

Thursday, November 29: Israel Advocacy presents a program on Sar-El, 7:30 pm.

Friday, December 14: following Kabbalat Service, 6:15 pm, bring your own Shabbat Chanukah dinner, 7:00 pm.

Sunday, January 20, 2013: Books and Bagels, 10:00 am Song for the Butcher’s Daughter by Peter Manseau.

Reviewer: Prof Rebecca Margolis. Bagels at 9:30 am.

Rabbi Steven H. Garten, Spiritual Leader Barbara Okun, Cantorial Soloist For information, please contact Heather Cohen, Executive Director 613-224-1802 #4 For Temple Israel Religious School, please contact Andrea Lobel, Director of Congregational Learning 613-224-3133 Friday Kabbalat Shabbat Services, 6:15 pm Saturday Shabbat Services, 10:15 am

1301 Prince of Wales Drive, Ottawa, ON K2C 1N2 Tel: 613-224-1802 Fax: 613-224-0707 www.templeisraelottawa.com

• • • • • •

Resource Development Jewish Outreach, Identity and Education Communications and Community Relations Finance, Audit and Administration Grants and Evaluations Partnership 2Gether

If you are interested, please send a short paragraph outlining your interests to Rachel Abenhaim (613) 798-4696, ext. 236 or rabenhaim@jewishottawa.com HELP US IN OUR EFFORTS TO DO GOOD TOGETHER!

Page 20 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – November 26, 2012

AJA 50+ Bridge Tournament AJA 50+ Bridge Tournament duplicate bridge winners: (from left) Steve Rauch, Adele Shinder, Dorothy Nadolny and Nina Dover. Held November 1 at Agudath Israel Synagogue, the annual tournament is a major fundraiser for AJA 50+.

CSN in New York Rabbi Chaim Boyarsky led a delegation of students from the Chabad Student Network of Ottawa to the Chabad on Campus International Student Shabbaton, November 2 to 4 in Brooklyn, New York. The delegation is seen here on the steps of Lubavitch World Headquarters at 770 Eastern Parkway.

OMJS visits Hillel Lodge Kindergarten to Grade 3 students from the Ottawa Modern Jewish School (OMJS) visited Hillel Lodge, October 28, for an afternoon of singing, dancing and balloon volleyball continuing the partnership and friendship of OMJS students and Lodge residents.

Reform rabbis meet in Ottawa Rabbis of Reform congregations from across Canada, seen here on Parliament Hill, held a retreat in Ottawa, November 5 to 7. The theme of the retreat was Zionism, Israel and Canada. While in Ottawa, the rabbis held meetings with Foreign Minister John Baird, Citizenship Minister Jason Kenney, Opposition Leader Tom Mulcair, interim Liberal Leader Bob Rae and Israeli Ambassador Miriam Ziv.

November 26, 2012 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – Page 21

No big buzz at GA as federations await new funding model

By Uriel Heilman (JTA) – A year since its creation, the grandly named Global Planning Table (GPT) remains the great white hope of the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), which held its annual General Assembly (GA) in Baltimore from November 11 to 13.

Introduced a year ago, the GPT aims to reshape the way federations spend money outside their local communities by making decisions on collective spending more transparent and communal. Federation officials hope this will stem the decline in overseas spending and bring more clout – and money – to federations’ collective action.

“Some say the federation system is an old model that won’t survive” because donors are more independent, Kathy Manning, the outgoing JFNA board chair, said at the GA’s opening plenary. “I believe the secret of the Jewish community’s success is our ability to act together.”

A year on, the GPT is still in its embryonic stages.

No money has been doled out under GPT guidelines, and, over the summer, the professional director of the project resigned. JFNA subsequently announced that

implementation of the GPT, which will end the traditional arrangement by which federation overseas dollars automatically went to the Jewish Agency for Israel and the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee along a 75/25 per cent split, will be delayed by a year.

“This is slower than I would like it to be, but I understand we have to get a lot of buy-in,” Jay Sanderson, president of the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, told JTA. “I’m still optimistic we can get the right thing done, but something has to happen in 2013.

There needs to be some tachles,” he said, using the Yiddish term for substance.

The central challenge of the Jewish federations, which together raise nearly $3 billion per year, has not changed in recent years.

These clearinghouses of Jewish charity must figure out how to keep the community committed to a system of collective action in an era when North American Jewry is increasingly fragmented, less institutionally affiliated and more restrictive than ever when it comes to philanthropic spending.

Most of the time, that’s a tough sell.

But then a crisis like Hurricane Sandy comes along, and the need for a system that can harness the collective power of the community suddenly becomes readily apparent. In the space of just a few hours on the Sunday after the storm hit, the executive board of the UJA-Federation of New York made $10 million immediately available to Jewish institutions and people struck by the largest storm in memory to strike the northeastern United States.

“Responding to people in suffering is what we do,” Jerry Levin, president of the UJA-Federation of New York, said at the GA. “This is the federation system.”

Absent a crisis, however, mustering collective action faces two major obstacles: decision-making and motivation. How can 156 federations, each with its own agenda and priorities, come to agreement on spending decisions? And how can they motivate donors to give in support of those decisions?

Federations hope the GPT is the answer.

“The Global Planning Table could be terrific if they decided what the things are that we can do to bend the future,” Barry

Nobel laureate Elie Wiesel (left) and Jewish Agency for Israel Chairman Natan Sharansky at the General Assembly of the Jewish Federations of North America in Baltimore, November 12.

(Photo: Robert A. Cumins/JFNA)

Shrage, president of the Boston federation, Combined Jewish Philanthropies, told JTA. “The federations are still the richest, most powerful force in [North] American Jewish life. We can change the

world, if we know what we want to do.”

So far, the discussion, research, consultation and committees connected to the GPT have resulted in the identification of four spending priorities: strengthening

Israel; developing leadership and community; caring for vulnerable populations; and building Jewish identity and connections. The federations hope they’ll be able to launch one to two new (Continued on page 22)

Hey,

The Ottawa Chapter wishes all our Donors, Families and Friends a Warm and Festive

Chag Ha’Chanukah Let us pray for peace in our beloved Israel - Am Y'Israel Chai With YOUR help – MDA continues to provide uninterrupted emergency services to the people of Israel ISRAEL CANNOT SURVIVE WITHOUT MAGEN DAVID ADOM MAGEN DAVID ADOM CANNOT SURVIVE WITHOUT YOU Seymour Eisenberg President Tel: 613-224-2500 Email: seyeis@rogers.com

Sam Litwack Honorary National Director Tel: 613-738-7778 Fax: 613-738-1752 Email: samdora@sympatico.ca

Donate at www.cmdai.org

Heard you need to complete some community service hours to graduate from school. Do you like cooking, coordinating special events or working with kids?

If so, why don’t you give me a call and I can tell you more about our programs?

Talk to you soon!

Anita Almstedt Director of Administration and Operations Congregation Beth Shalom 151 Chapel Street Ottawa, ON K1N 7Y2 Tel: 613-789-3501 ex: 221 Cell: 613-266-7981 Fax: 613-789-4438

Page 22 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – November 26, 2012 EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Chief Executive Officer Jewish Federation of Ottawa SUMMARY The Jewish Federation of Ottawa is looking for a charismatic leader with superb interpersonal skills to engage and excite the imagination of donors, build a community environment of collaboration and attract and engage the next generation of community leaders. The CEO will be a dynamic and passionate leader with strong fundraising and management skills to lead this vibrant community into the future.

The community is searching for a leader who, above all else, will inspire the Jewish community and build commitment to the Federation’s mission. The CEO will partner with volunteer leaders and stakeholders to create and articulate a vision for the community. This is a wonderful opportunity for someone who enjoys the challenge of building community, campaign and leadership.

S/he must have a strong commitment to Judaism and Israel, with compassion for and understanding of the needs and welfare of Jews locally, in Israel, and around the world.

The CEO must have the ability to attract and nurture donors from all economic levels, as well as foster relationships with younger and unengaged members of the community.

The CEO reports directly to and works closely with the Chair of the Federation board of Directors. There are eight senior managers reporting directly to the CEO.

QUALIFICATIONS The successful candidate will be: • A collaborator who can develop and steward relationships of trust with donors, prospects, community agencies and synagogues and who demonstrates respect and appreciation for the diversity of practice within the Jewish community • An energetic self-starter with highly developed interpersonal skills who can relate well with staff, volunteer leadership, donors and the community-at-large and who can represent the interests of the Jewish community to the broader community with a non-partisan and non-political approach • An outstanding communicator and listener • An outstanding manager able to work with staff in mentoring, setting goals and objectives; and to evaluate and motivate staff, drive performance and operate a complex organization • A fundraiser with demonstrated ability to increase financial resources and philanthropic capacity through multiple vehicles, including planned giving and endowments, as well as through traditional annual giving and major gifts • A proven track record of success in Jewish or other non-profit organizations or a combination of strong business and Jewish volunteer leadership experience • Bachelor’s degree, MBA or other graduate management degree preferred COMPENSATION: An attractive and competitive package is available Career level: 5-10 yrs. experience Preferred contact method: E-mail Submit résume to: personnel@jewishfederations.org For a full job description please visit www.jewishottawa.com

Rabbi Rick Jacobs delivers the keynote address at the closing plenary session, November 13, of the General Assembly of the Jewish Federations of North America in Baltimore.

(Photo: Robert A. Cumins/JFNA)

GA: networking opportunity for Jewish organizations (Continued from page 21)

initiatives next year that support those priorities.

“The potential still remains that the GPT will be able to gather enough momentum,” said Alan Hoffman, director-general of the Jewish Agency. “It’s all about the power of ideas to engage the hearts and minds of donors. This is about the future of the federation movement.”

While the GPT dominated insider buzz at last year’s GA held in Denver, this year’s assembly seemed to lack a comparable big issue.

“I feel like it’s smaller, though that may be the venue,” said Susan Holzman Wachsstock, executive director of a group called Jewish Student Connection that seeks to enrich Jewish experiences for Jewish public school students. “I also think the content is much leaner than in previous years. The plenaries, however, were the best I’ve seen in years.”

The conference site, the sprawling Baltimore Convention Center, dwarfed the 3,000 attendees, often making it difficult to find a crowd. There were no real star headliners – unless you count Nobel laureate Elie Wiesel or Edon, the kippah-wearing singing sensation from America’s Got Talent – and no one from either the Obama administration or the Israeli Knesset showed up.

The GA seems stuck at about 3,000 attendees annually. It wasn’t even the largest Jewish gathering of the week in North America. That distinction went to the International Conference of Chabad-Lubavitch Emissaries, which drew more than 4,000

supporters and Chabad outreach emissaries to New York.

“There needs to be more of a reason to get people here,” said L.A.’s Sanderson.

“It’s not just about who speaks. Everything here is frontal, but the Jewish world is not frontal anymore. This is not an engaging setup. Maybe it doesn’t have to be every year. Maybe it should be every other year.”

For many, the confab is not so much a pep rally as an opportunity for networking.

Representatives of North American Jewish and Israeli organizations hoping for federation support come to pitch their programs and meet federation leaders. Federation executives come to meet with their colleagues.

Stephen Hoffman, a former president of JFNA and now president of the Cleveland Jewish Federation, said the GA is “not a place to convert the unwashed – people who aren’t involved in federation.” Rather, he said, “It’s a place to reinforce the values and motivation of people who are engaged in the leadership ranks.”

But Sanderson says GAs need to be attractive to more than just core professionals and lay leaders.

“We need a lot more home runs,” he said. “This is a walk at best.”

One moment of excitement that belied that analysis, many participants said, came in the closing assembly, when Rabbi Rick Jacobs, president of the Union for Reform Judaism and the GA’s official scholar-inresidence, delivered a call to stand up for religious pluralism in Israel (see story on page 26).

November 26, 2012 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – Page 23

Glebe Minyan: Ottawa’s Jewish Renewal community

By Cynthia Powell for the Glebe Minyan The Glebe Minyan (TGM), a Jewish Renewal community, was formed following the High Holy Days last year under the spiritual leadership of Anna Maranta.

Renewal is a trans-denominational spiritual move-ment grounded in Judaism’s prophetic and mystical traditions. It carries forward Judaism’s perpetual process of renewal by infusing ancient Jewish wisdom with a modern, egalitarian and socially progressive consciousness.

The movement draws heavily on the thought of Rabbi Zalman Schacter-Shalomi who offers a loving critique of the limitations of traditional rabbinic Judaism and calls for ongoing renewal of Jewish life in our time. Torah, Talmud and other sacred texts, and Halachah are approached through integral, four-worlds, mystical approach.

Torah is understood not literally but as deep metaphor. Tefillah is approached from a neoChasidic perspective that includes the meditative, ecstatic and experiential, in addition to the classical practices. Gimilut Chassidim (acts of loving kindness) and Tikkun olam (repair of the world) are understood from a paradigm shift view of history and our role in it.

Grounded in Renewal’s values, TGM welcomes all Jews, as well as anyone interested in learning more about Judaism. We strive to be “a house of prayer for all peo-

Anna Maranta, spiritual leader of the Glebe Minyan.

ples.” Our activities are planned to support spiritual growth, and to engage and integrate the heart, mind, body, and soul.

TGM offers weekly Torah study, twicemonthly potluck Shabbat dinners, Shabbat in the park picnics, as well as educational and social events related to the various Jewish holidays throughout the past year. Our programming is expanding to include monthly Seudah Shlishit study sessions as well as other study and social events related to the

Jewish year.

We are also working with other synagogues to develop joint educational programming and, over the next year, plan to register as a charitable organization, formally affiliate with the ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish Renewal, and begin offering regular prayer services starting January 25, with Kabbalat Shabbat and a Tu B’Shevat seder.

Our Chanukah open house will be held Saturday, December 15, beginning with

study at 4:00 pm to be followed by a potluck social gathering, including Havdallah and menorah-lighting. Everyone is welcome. In keeping with TGM’s focus on tikkun olam, donations for the Kosher Food Bank will be collected.

Spiritual leader Maranta is a student in the ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish Renewal’s ordination program, where she continues her studies under the direction of Rabbi Daniel Siegel, executive director of ALEPH Canada (alephcanada.ca). Her rabbinic mission is to provide spiritually focused care, services and support to Jews and others from an integral perspective; to provide service to those disenfranchised from their Judaism; to reach out to these and other populations, including LGBT communities, and interfaith couples and their families; and to educate about Judaism in her community. She leads services, Torah and other study groups, life-cycle events, co-creates rituals and offers counselling, chaplaincy, pastoral care and spiritual direction.

Maranta has another project underway: the establishment of a tefillin gemach for women. The gemach will loan women tefillin who would like to add the mitzvah of tefillin to their spiritual practice. If you have any tefillin sets you are not using and would be willing to donate, please contact her.

For more information about the Glebe Minyan, visit our Facebook page or contact Anna Maranta at glebeminyan@gmail.com or 613-867-5505.

Page 24 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – November 26, 2012

Guest Column

Partnership 2Gether: Our Israel attachment

Ron Weiss (left) and Mitchell Bellman were honoured for their contributions to Partnership 2Gether, October 30 at the Safed Medical School, during the P2G meetings in Israel.

ipality, and us. They presented, we listened, we picked projects, and we gave money.

Under the leadership of P2G Coast-toCoast Chair Ron Weiss and the Israeli lay

leadership, we saw the group dynamics change. Now, Israelis are fully engaged in the partnership (the mayors no longer have a major role).

We’ve seen the implementation and evaluation of bigger projects. Some projects are mortar and bricks, or painted walls and new roofs.

Others projects are like Keshet, which means rainbow, an innovative project that brings children with autism into mainstream classes for those who can manage and into separate classes for those who can’t. We got a chance to meet the students, their parents and the teachers. To be able to work in such a great environment means a

lot to them. It is the only program of its kind in Northern Israel and some children travel 90 minutes each way to be able to have access to education.

Speaking for myself, I have a deeper understanding of the cultural differences between Israelis and Diaspora Jews and what kinds of things influence Israeli decisions.

At times, our meetings are loud, but always respectful. I have made new friends, most recently Yossi, a Turkish Jew who made aliyah when he was 10, travelled to Italy to study pharmacy and came back to Israel to live on a kibbutz. He is the pharmacist and manager of a Super-Pharm store in Kiryat Shmona. And, yes, he will be paddling on the Super-Pharm team at the Dragon Boat Festival.

Ron received special recognition for his leadership over the past two years and for encouraging the development of P2G mission and vision statement.

And Mitchell Bellman was honoured for his 15-year involvement with Partnership.

Mitchell told a story about an Israeli shaliach he met at camp when he was 11. As it turned out, the shaliach was Aharon Valency, now the mayor of the Upper Galilee Regional Council, a strong partner for us and a non-stop advocate for development of the North. We never know where our connections will take us and Mitchell has been a very strong supporter of Israel in work and in deed.

I returned home energized and with some new ideas for the Ottawa P2G committee including Mitch Miller, Sharon and Paul Finn, Howard Fremeth, Stan Leinwand and Federation staff member Sarah Beutel.

Email me at doclis@me.com if you have any questions about P2G, the projects of our Ottawa group, or the bigger projects of Coast-to-Coast P2G.

Canadian C anadian n Hadassah-WIZO Hadassah-WIZO (CHW) (CHW) wishes all o our memb members ers and friends av very ery Happ Happy yC Chanukah! hanukah!

You keep the miracle of Chanukah alive for a child in Israel through your gift to CHW.

Thank you for your support of CHW’s programs and projects for Children, Healthcare and Women in Israel and Canada.

Marla Dan, CHW National President CHW Board of Directors Alina Ianson, CHW Executive Director Esther Kulik, CHW Ottawa President

© Dana Rothstein | Dreamstime.com

By Lisa Rosenkrantz Partnership 2Gether I recently returned home from our Partnership 2Gether (P2G) meetings in Israel and want to share a few highlights.

I have been the Ottawa chair of the Partnership 2Gether (P2G) committee for the past four years. I initially became involved through Ron and Debbie Weiss – we had been travelling companions to Israel for more than 15 years. Taking over as chair in Ottawa seemed like a good idea, as each of them moved on to take on different leadership roles within our community and beyond.

And what a relationship I have developed with Israelis, Israel, and with people in our community and across this country as a result of this opportunity.

What is P2G? The mandate is to “to strengthen the relationship between Jewish communities in Canada and Israel, and to develop the Galilee Panhandle and improve the living standards of its residents.

The Partnership has identified the development of high quality, formal and informal educational opportunities for children and youth as the region’s highest priority.”

When I first began four years ago, the partnership with the Galilee Panhandle was a one way street – the mayors, along with a few appointed lay leaders from each munic-

Canadian HadassahCanadian Hadassah-WIZO WIZO ((CHW) CHW) is CCanada’s anaada’s leading Jewish w women’s omen’s philan philanthropic thropic or organization. rganization. FFounded ounded in 1917, CHW is non-political, non-politic al, volunteer volunteer driven driven and funds funds programs programs and projects projects for foor Children, Children, Healthcare Healthccare and Women Women in Israel Israel and Canada.

Canada.

Web: Web: w www.chw.ca/ottawa ww.chw.ca/ottawa

E-mail: inf info@ottawa.chw.ca o@ottawa.chw.ca a

T Tel: e el: 613.699.0802

November 26, 2012 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – Page 25

Free Gaga class during Chanukah Gift Fair

By Maxine Miska how to snap into intense Soloway JCC physical sensations.

Gaga is not a lady.

Overall, I feel that Gaga Gaga is a movement has helped me tap deeply language developed by into the complexity of Ohad Naharin, choreogmy body, and I now have rapher and artistic difull access to it.” rector of Israel’s The one-hour class renowned Batsheva will be the version of Dance Company.

Gaga designed for the The Soloway Jewish general public. No previCommunity Centre ous dance experience is (SJCC) will hold a free required. Participants Gaga class, as part of work either barefoot or the Chanukah Gift Fair in socks and should dress on Sunday, December in exercise clothing.

2, 3:00 pm, for anyone There is no registrainterested in dance or Certified Gaga teacher Laura Toma tion, but participation is will offer a free class during the SJCC limited to the amount of aerobic exercise.

Chanukah Gift Fair, December 2.

The class will be people who can safely taught by certified Gaga teacher Laura Toma dance together in the aerobics studio. as a gift to the community for enabling her to “In Gaga, we like to connect to pleasure, go to Israel and study with Ohad Naharin effort, speed, groove and our explosive powthrough a grant from the Jewish Federation of ers, so people should expect not only to have Ottawa. Laura moved to Israel in September a good time, but to also get a full body work2011 to take part in the first official Gaga out,” added Toma. teacher training program.

Naharin discusses Gaga movement in It was “an intense nine-month process a YouTube video at tinyurl.com/Gagawhere we studied Gaga every day, participat- movement. ing in company classes and learning and apThe Chanukah Gift Fair is Sunday, Deplying the language to Batsheva repertory,” cember 2, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, and also insaid Toma. cludes a children’s program from 10:30 to “My body and my movements have noon sponsored by PJ Library and the Family changed dramatically since my intense study Life Centre, an author talk by Diane Koven at of Gaga. I now have a much deeper under- 2:00 pm, and gifts and books for sale in the standing of the possibilities of my body. Gaga gymnasium. has taught me how to access the many layers For more information, contact Penni of the body – from the skin, bones, to the Namer at pnamer@jccottawa.com or 613flesh! It has taught me, through movement, 798-9818, ext. 243.

Canada Israel Cultural Foundation to hold Chanukah party

By Norman Barwin Canada Israel Cultural Foundation The Ottawa chapter of the Canada Israel Cultural Foundation (CICF) invites the community to attend the annual CICF Chanukah Party. It’s an opportunity to chat and have fun while candles are lit and latkes served. As always, songs will be sung. Evelyn Greenberg and friends will lead the festivities.

Evelyn is a long-time friend and board member of CICF Ottawa. She was a member of the Faculty of Music at the University of Ottawa for many years, has performed with the NAC Orchestra, CBC Studio Ensemble, Nepean and Ottawa Symphony Orchestras, Ottawa International Chamber Festival, and in recitals with the CBC and at Canadian embassies in Tokyo and Washington.

Join us to celebrate and hear more about membership in the organization on Sunday, December 16, 7:00 pm, at the home of Carole Greenberg, 1970 Lenester Avenue. RSVP to Tova Clark at 613- 722-4645 or tovaclark@bell.net or to Ruth Calof at 613-

523-1600 or calofh@hotmail.com.

Together with our partners, CICF National, the Embassy of Israel, AJA 50+, the Soloway Jewish Community Centre and the Vered Israel Cultural and Educational Program, CICF Ottawa provides an opportunity for members and the broader Jewish community to enjoy the cultural and artistic activities of Israel, provide scholarships to Israeli performers, bring Israeli artistic exhibitions and performers to Canada, send Canadian artistic exhibitions and performers to Israel, support the giving of gifts and grants for specific institutions and projects, and the purchase of musical instruments.

In addition to the Chanukah party, CICF will host our annual closing social in June and, with our partners, a variety of events, including the recent Limmud Ottawa, a movie night, an NAC brunch, the Israeli Film Festival and the annual concert with the Pinchas Zukerman Master Class students at Hillel Lodge.

For more information about CICF, contact Solange Smith at 613-733-8116.

Page 26 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – November 26, 2012

Chocolate Chances 5: Comedy, prizes and lots of chocolate

By Zev Singer for Torah Academy of Ottawa The fifth annual Chocolate Chances, Torah Academy of Ottawa’s fundraiser, is just around the corner.

The basic formula is one that has been around since long before people figured out what to do with a coco bean: combine delicious food, fabulous prizes and a night of comedy with the knowledge that a very important cause is being supported.

So far, that formula has been a key to allowing Torah Academy to survive and continue its crucial mission of passing on a Jewish education while also delivering an excellent general studies program.

Now, more about the chocolate and the fabulous prizes.

Those who have been to Chocolate Chances in previous years know how hard the school’s parents work to transform the Torah Academy lunchroom into a beautiful chocolate soirée, in which it’s hard to count all the edible variations on the theme (it’s not easy to sample every kind of chocolate on offer – unless you’re very dedicated, like I have sometimes been).

Prizes?

OK, let’s talk about prizes.

How about airfare to Israel for two? Someone is going to win that.

Someone will also win 50,000 points for two flights in North America.

As has become tradition, there will be an iPad up for grabs, this time one of the brand new minis.

There’s also a state-of-the art laptop computer and a new model GPS. There’s more: Furniture; a set of china for 12; a dining room set; a bike; jewelry; a $500 Visa gift card; gift certificates of $250 each for Loblaws and the Bayshore Shopping Centre; hotel stays; free passes for kids’ activities; museum passes;

kids’ games and clothing; artwork and (in my opinion, the real jackpot) a 25 pound box of pareve chocolate chips.

The comedy will be provided

by Rabbi David Rotenberg, MC for the event. This amazing Ottawa talent is a rabbi who does professional stand-up comedy. He will make you laugh. I guarantee it.

Chocolate Chances 5 takes place Sunday, December 2, 7:00 pm, at Torah Academy of Ottawa, 1119 Lazard Street.

The full list of prizes can be seen at torahacademyofottawa.com.

For more information, contact Torah Academy at 613-274-0110 or torahacademyottawa@gmail.com.

It is possible to participate even if you cannot attend.

At GA: Reform leader calls for religious pluralism in Israel Baltimore (JTA) – Rabbi Rick Jacobs, the president of the Union for Reform Judaism, said North American Jews should no longer acquiesce to Israeli state-sanctioned discrimination against women and non-Orthodox Jews.

“I would fight passionately for the right of Orthodox Jews to pray freely at the Kotel or anywhere else, so I can’t understand why we acquiesce when the rights of non-Orthodox Jews are denied by the Jewish state,” Rabbi Jacobs said to wide applause in a speech, November 13, at the closing plenary of the General Assembly of the Jewish Federations of North America, where he served as scholar-inresidence.

“This is a moment that calls for Israel and the world Jewish community to address equality for all streams of Judaism by the government of Israel.”

Rabbi Jacobs cited the case of activist Anat Hoffman, head of the Reform movement’s Israel Religious Action Centre, who was arrested last month at the Western Wall for leading a women’s prayer service while wearing a tallit – an act that contravenes an Israeli law that has survived Supreme Court challenges.

“Yes, the Israeli Supreme Court has the authority to restrict the prayer of women and non-Orthodox prayer at the Western Wall.

“But why is this holy Jewish site run like an Orthodox synagogue?

“Why can’t there be space and time for both egalitarian prayer and for more traditional forms of prayer at this holy place?” Jacobs asked.

“So long as Israel remains the only democracy that legally discriminates against the majority of Jews who are in the non-Orthodox streams, the Zionist dream of the ingathering

of the exiles in a Jewish state for all Jews cannot be fully realized.

“It is time to end this discrimination once and for all,” he said, adding, “When women are subjected to discrimination at the Kotel, it feeds other forms of discrimination by the ultra-Orthodox against women – on buses and in other public facilities.”

Rabbi Jacobs also called for acceptance of a diversity of views in the pro-Israel community.

“The pro-Israel community must be large enough to include the IDF veteran campaigning for peace on the college campus, the AIPAC activist lobbying members of Congress, the human rights activist protesting unlawful seizure of Arab homes in Jerusalem, the West Bank settler and the Jew who protests the lack of religious freedom in the Jewish state,” he said.

November 26, 2012 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – Page 27

Guest Column

Rethinking how to attract people to Jewish events

By Bram Bregman NCSY Ottawa Please raise your hand if you’ve been made to feel guilty for not attending a Jewish event.

I think most of us can relate to that sentiment. We enjoy going to Jewish events, hearing interesting speakers and schmoozing, but we can’t go to everything.

Questions on how to get more Jews out to Jewish programs, how to engage those on the fringe of the Jewish community and how to make Jewish events more attractive have been surfacing lately.

My thoughts on these issues are based on 10 years of running effective and successful programs for young Jews in Ottawa.

“If you build it, he will come,” is a wellknown saying from the movie Field of Dreams. But, when it comes to Jewish programming, this is incorrect. Effective programming is based on understanding your target audience and providing experiences that

they want and find interesting. In the business world, this means knowing your customer and looking at demand before deciding supply.

Jewish organizations should be applying business principles to their daily practices.

A grassroots approach to attracting people is more effective. When an event is organized, it is critical to involve a range of target audience members, representing different social networks, in meaningful ways from the start so they have buy-in for the event. While this takes advanced planning, the benefit is they’ll be more invested and want to bring their friends to the event. This approach can draw new volunteers who may not want to volunteer long-term, but would be willing to get involved for a specific event with a firm enddate.

This ties in to my next principle, which is how crucial it is to ask people formally to come to an event. Too often, we rely solely on (Continued on page 28)

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Relationships key to community (Continued from page 27)

sending emails, posting flyers and hoping for the best. While these are important, personal relationships ultimately inspire others to participate in Jewish communal life. The strongest marketing tools are personal phone calls based on solid relationships, and the more people planning an event, the more relationships there are that can be leveraged.

In Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus, author John Gray gives an example of a friend looking for volunteers and planning to ask someone he knew would decline. He felt it was better to call and be gracious when the person says “no,” so

they would be more willing to say “yes” next time because of a positive memory of the previous interaction.

The same principle applies to all relationships, including between the person asking and the person being asked to attend a Jewish event. People who organize Jewish events must be forward-thinking and build long-term and trusted relationships with their target audiences. Jewish organizations must understand the importance of providing positive interactions with the Jewish community so everyone knows they are welcome when ready.

This scenario occurs time and again with me. When a student de-

clines an invitation to a program, I always respond with, “I understand.

You are always welcome and can just attend the events that interest you. Coming once doesn’t commit you to every event.”

These same young Jews come to future programs and feel comfortable knowing I am welcoming and non-judgmental.

As you can see from the Facebook screen shot (page 27), I recently asked a Grade 12 student to attend Torah High. After saying he was not coming this year, I told him I understood. He immediately responded that he would still like to attend our New York trip. Do you think he

In support of the Bess and Moe Greenberg Family Hillel Lodge In the Joseph and Inez Zelikovitz Long Term Care Centre Card Donations Card donations go a long way to improving the quality of life for our residents.

Thank you for considering their needs and contributing to their well-being.

On behalf of the residents and their families, we extend sincere appreciation to the following individuals and families who made card donations to the Hillel Lodge Long-Term Care Foundation between October 24 and November 1, 2012 inclusive.

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

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

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

Ruth and Irving Aaron Family Fund In Honour of: Kenneth Radnoff Mazal tov on chanting your Bar Mitzvah Haftorah with love by Ruth and Irving Aaron Bill and Leona Adler Memorial Fund In Memory of: Samuel Rothberg by Marilyn Adler Benny Steck by Marilyn Adler In Honour of: Joanne Shabsove Happy special birthday

by Elayne Adler, Farley, Jordan and Benjamin Stenzler Barry Silverman and family Mazal tov on the engagement of your daughter Stephanie by Elayne Adler, Farley, Jordan and Benjamin Stenzler

would have wanted to if I had made him feel bad about not coming to Torah High? Probably not.

This is why it is important for Jewish organizations to run a variety of programs that appeal to diverse interest groups. The old model was to run one mega-event that would try to attract Jews of all ages, backgrounds and interests. Today, we need to accept that preferences have changed – people are involved with both Jewish and non-Jewish organizations and only attend events they find personally meaningful. When someone declines to attend a Jewish event, they’re just saying “no” to that specific event. But, if we emphasize there are a variety of events to choose from, then they’re more

Elsie Baker Endowment Fund In Memory of: Benny Steck by Kenneth Kavanat Boris and Dolly Blacher Family Fund In Memory of: Bo Blacher by Gary and Heather Cohen; and by Susan Blauer and Ellen Rosenbloom Friedberg and Dale Families Fund In Honour of: The Muroff family Mazal tov on the birth of another grandson to Noah and Esther by Elaine Friedberg, Bob and Jonathan Dale Malcolm and Vera Glube Endowment Fund In Memory of: Eva Zidulka by Malcolm and Vera Glube Marilyn Robins by Malcolm and Vera Glube In Honour of: George and Roz Hirschberg Mazal tov on the birth of your first grand-daughter, Alexis Lauren by Malcolm and Vera Glube

Samuel and Jean Akerman Memorial Fund In Honour of: Sheila and Larry Hartman Congratulations on the birth of your newest grandchild by Sandy Shaver

Nell Gluck Memorial Fund In Honour of: Rabbi Alan and Linda Cohen Mazal tov on your new home with love by Henry and Maureen Molot and family Roger and Elana Keen Mazal tov on the birth of your grandson by Henry and Maureen Molot In Memory of: Bess Fyman by Henry and Maureen Molot Dr. David Kobernick by Henry and Maureen Molot

Auxiliary of Hillel Lodge In Memory of: Leon Gluzman by Cindy Kardash-Lalonde and David Lalonde

Joan and Russell Kronick Family Fund In Memory of: Leo Cook by Joan and Russell Kronick In Honour of: Sheila and Larry Hartman Mazal tov on

likely to attend in the future.

While there are many methods out there to run great events, I believe the key to creating a vibrant Jewish community is to focus on building relationships. When someone declines to attend a program, we must express our complete understanding or we cannot expect them to get involved with the Jewish community in the future.

We want Jews to come to programs because they genuinely desire to be there. If our focus is on fostering strong relationships, catering to the needs of today’s Jews and encouraging people to attend and volunteer for what interests them, then we can make Jewish programming happening and exciting.

the birth of your granddaughter by Joan and Russell Kronick Max Lieff Endowment Fund In Memory of: Leon Gluzman by Dorothy Lieff * * * * * * * ** * * * * * * * * Feeding Fund In Memory of: Leo Cook by Barbara Fine and Steve Levinson Recreation/Music Fund In Memory of: Eva Zidulka by Yale and Dee Gaffen In Honour of: Larry Weisz Happy birthday with love by Eleanor, Ken and Julie Mintz IN HONOUR OF: Marsha and Murray Kaiserman Mazal tov on the birth of your granddaughter, Rena Chaya by Golda Paula Agulnik Congratulations on receiving the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal by Marsha and Warren Black Rickie Saslove Mazal tov on your 75th birthday by Andrea Saslove, Zack and Jordan Elena and Roger Keen Congratulations on the birth of a grandson by Ed and Cary Lander IN MEMORY OF: Michael Cohen by Joel and Sylvia Cohen Hy Hymes by Margaret Aster Eva Zidulka by Janet and Norman Ironstone; and by Arlene and Norman Glube Benny Steck by Wendy Henry Bess Fyman by Robin Mader; by Peter and Minda Wershof Leon Gluzman by Peter and Minda Wershof

THE LODGE EXPRESSES ITS SINCERE APPRECIATION FOR YOUR KIND SUPPORT AND APOLOGIZES FOR ANY ERRORS OR OMISSIONS. DUE TO SPACE LIMITATIONS, THE WORDING APPEARING IN THE BULLETIN IS NOT NECESSARILY THE WORDING WHICH APPEARED ON THE CARD. GIVING IS RECEIVING – ATTRACTIVE CARDS AVAILABLE FOR ALL OCCASIONS Here’s a good opportunity to recognize an event or convey the appropriate sentiment to someone important to you and at the same time support the Lodge. Card orders may be given to Bev at 613-728-3900, extension 111, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday to Thursday, 8:30 am to 3:30 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.

November 26, 2012 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – Page 29

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Page 30 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – November 26, 2012

November 26, 2012 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – Page 31

Page 32 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – November 26, 2012

This Chanukah, give a gift that illuminates someone’s life.

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Call Barry Silverman 613-798-4696, ext. 256 We take VISA or MasterCard * Special gift rates valid until January 11, 2013

November 26, 2012 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – Page 33

Israel Under the Radar

Cardboard bikes, saving lives in death, Morissette and Depeche Mode concerts

By Marcy Oster Jerusalem (JTA) – Here are some recent stories out of Israel that you may have missed: Rocking in Tel Aviv Popular singers and bands can’t seem to get enough of Israeli fans.

Ottawa native Alanis Morissette will close out her Guardian Angel world tour with a sold-out show December 3 in Tel Aviv. A party marking the end of the tour will begin as soon as the concert is over.

It will be the second Israel concert for Morissette; she had performed in the Holy Land in 2000.

Meanwhile, the pop band Depeche Mode will launch its 2013 world tour in May in Tel Aviv’s Hayarkon Park. The band debuted its 2009 world tour in Israel and promised to return.

Teenage athlete’s organs save six lives In death, high school athlete Gilad Veturi saved the lives of six people.

Nine of his organs were donated earlier this month after Gilad, 16, of Hod Hasharon, collapsed during running practice and died.

Several of the organs went to patients who

had an ADI organ donation card, which grants priority on the transplant waiting list.

His heart, lungs, liver and kidneys were transplanted into six patients. His corneas were saved for later transplant.

Mind-blowing glass breaking An Israeli performed the ritual of breaking a glass at his own wedding using his mind.

Asaf Solomon broke a wine glass placed on a small table in front of him and his bride without using any physical means, the Times of Israel reported. He followed up with a more traditional version of the ritual, smashing another wine glass with his foot.

Solomon said the mind thing, using telekinesis, was purely for “entertainment value.”

Billions of bottles (and cans) in the bins For years, Israelis trashed the idea of recycling, but apparently they’ve got the hang of it: More than five billion beverage containers have been collected for recycling in Israel in the past 10 years.

Now Israelis are recycling nearly half of large beverage containers, for which there is no deposit, and 77 per cent of small bottles and cans, which cost consumers 30 agarot, or about 25 cents. Israel has 18,000 recycling

bins for plastic bottles throughout the country.

More than 50 per cent of beverage containers are recycled in Israel, compared to 29 per cent in the United States. And Israel recycles about half of the collected bottles, with the rest handled abroad, mostly in China.

Recycling bottles and cans is handled in Israel by the Ela Beverage Containers Collection Corporation, which was established by beverage manufacturers after the passage of the Deposit Law, which requires the collection and recycling of all containers smaller than 1.5 litres. iPhone tempest among the haredim A haredi Orthodox rabbi who does outreach work was caught on film using an iPhone – a scandal in his closed community whose leaders have banned the use of the device.

In response to the photo published on haredi websites and social network, Rabbi Amnon Yitzchak of Tel Aviv admitted that he does, in fact, own and use an iPhone. But Rabbi Yitzchak said he had received special permission to have one from Rabbi Aharon Leib Shteinman, a prominent Lithuanian haredi leader, in order to perform his outreach work “for the purposes of bringing people back to Judaism.”

Haredi rabbis in recent months have

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denounced the use of smartphones and iPhones, including holding a ritual iPhonesmashing ceremony. Notices banning smartphone usage have been hung in haredi Orthodox communities denouncing it as a “forbidden device” that has brought a “spiritual holocaust” on Judaism.

Earlier this month, Rabbi Yitzchak called Hurricane Sandy a message from God against the State of Israel’s dependence on the United States.

Pesticide-laced veggies bug chief rabbi Ingesting massive amounts of pesticides is more dangerous than the possibility of accidentally eating a non-kosher bug, Israel’s chief Sephardic rabbi said.

Rabbi Shlomo Amar said the popular bugfree leafy vegetables that are ubiquitous in Orthodox Israeli households are not kosher and should not be used because they represent a health risk. That’s because many of the vegetable growers use a large amount of toxic pesticides to make them bug-free.

Amar said leafy vegetables such as lettuce and parsley can be checked for bugs “the old fashioned way,” as they have been done for generations.

(Continued on page 45)

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Page 34 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – November 26, 2012

Community Milestones Paula Agulnik is a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal recipient for her many years of dedication to Reach and other community organizations.

Her friend Cheryl Kardish-Levitan admires the medal.

Scholarships awarded

by Jewish War Veterans of Canada, Ottawa Post

Floralove Katz was presented with the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal by Ottawa Centre MP Paul Dewar.

The award recognizes her outstanding achievements in the Arts and Culture, and more than 30 years of dedicated volunteerism and community service, including organizing multi-faith initiatives.

Two graduates of the Ottawa Jewish Community School are this year’s recipients of the annual scholarships awarded by Jewish War Veterans of Canada, Ottawa Post.

Elishua Ben-Choreen (above) is now studying civil engineering at the University of Waterloo, while Anna Frenkel is studying concurrent teacher education at Queen’s University.

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Congratulations to Aaron Kaiman, third year student in Child and Youth Care Work at Algonquin College who received the college’s “Community Award of Excellence” for his field placement at Bayshore Catholic Elementary School.

Send us notices of your important family milestones – an engagement, wedding, special birthday, birth announcement or other significant events!

Email your photos to: bsilverman@ottawajewishbulletin.com.

Community Milestones will be published on a space-available basis.

November 26, 2012 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – Page 35

Visit our web site: www.hillellodge.ca

LL

ife at the odge

Tzedakah struts the catwalk More than $50,000 raised for Hillel Lodge at 2012 Tea and Fashion Show The 2012 Hillel Lodge Auxiliary Tea Fashion Show and Silent Auction was a smashing success, with over 250 attending guests and more than $50,000 raised for the Lodge. The Annual Tea is a longstanding Hillel Lodge Auxiliary social event, but, for the first time, it was paired with a Fashion Show and Silent Auction. Famed clothing retailer Holt Renfrew sponsored the fashion show itself, while a number of other local business contributed to the silent auction. Donations came from over 700 members of the community.

“We’re just delighted with the results, and incredibly proud of our volunteer models, sponsors and donors,” said event chairperson Dee Gaffen. “We can’t thank them enough.”

“We had a lot of fun, and we're thrilled that we raised upwards of $50,000,” added Auxiliary president and volunteer model Roz Fremeth. “But in the end, our most important objective is to honour the residents of Hillel Lodge.

This is all for them.”

The Auxiliary, Gaffen explained, is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of Hillel residents. All funds raised in events like Tea and Fashion Show and silent auction are used to purchase equipment and provide services to Hillel Lodge residents. ”What better way to honour our mothers and fathers than by participating in this mitzvah?”

She said.

Volunteer models included Roz Fremeth, Naomi Lipsky

Dee Gaffen, 2012 Tea and Fashion Show event chairperson

Cracower, Ruth Tal, Monica Stein, Elissa Iny, Irma Sachs, Debi Shore, Marion Silver Brass, Rena Cohen and Fran Ross. ”Hillel Lodge would like to

particularly thank Dee Gaffen, Roz Fremeth and Carolyn Katz for their leadership in realizing this success,” said Hillel Lodge President Russel Kronick.

Lázaro Sternic: Renowned viola maestro “adopts” Hillel Lodge Even though Lázaro Sternic has lived in Canada for more than half of his adult life, you can’t miss the beautiful singsong of Buenos Aires in his rich accent.

At the ripe young age of 91, Sternic is older than many Hillel Lodge residents, but he doesn’t live here. Perfectly mobile and independent, the acclaimed musician and academic has adopted the Lodge as his personal cause in memory of his parents, and for the benefit of residents who need its services.

Sternic’s storied Canadian music career began in 1966, when he arrived in Montreal to join the Montreal Symphony Orchestra.

Two years later, he moved to Ot-

tawa to become principal violist with the National Arts Centre Orchestra. At the same time, he became a part-time professor of music at the University of Ottawa’s brand-new school of music. In 1972, the part-time academic avocation switched places with performing, when Sternic left the NAC Orchestra to become a full-time associate professor at uOttawa.

Sternic’s connection to Hillel Lodge began in the late 1970s, when he and some of his muscial colleagues put on classical performances for residents. It didn’t become personal until several years later, however, when he and his wife brought his parents from Ar-

gentina to live with them. His mother passed away in 1986 and, by the next year, his 90-year-old father was mostly blind.

“We had the opportunity to admit him to Hillel Lodge,” says Sternic. “And he lived there until his death in 1991 at the age of 94.

My wife and I were so impressed with the quality of life at the Lodge and the care he received.”

In 2000, Sternic discovered that he could set up a fund in memory of his parents. His initial, generous donation of $2,000 was only the beginning, however.

“I am not a wealthy man,” he says. “But my parents were very, important to me, and I decided to ‘adopt’ the Hillel Lodge.”

Sternic challenged himself to top up his donation every year.

“In the first year, my donation was $2,000, in the second, $2,100, in the third, $2,200, and so on,” he explains. Morever, Sternic makes an annual trip to the Lodge to deliver his donation in person.

“What a wonderful man! It is the Lázaro Sternics of the world, the kind of person who remember what we did for his dad and never forgets how much that meant, and means, to him,” says Executive Director Stephen Schneiderman.

“He’s a true and longtime friend, a man who cares about the Lodge and we look forward enthusiastically to his visits every year.”

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

Hillel Lodge is proud of the quality care we provide to our residents. Donations to the Lodge can be made in several ways: by going to our web site at www.hillellodge.ca; contacting the Long-Term Care Foundation at (613) 728-3900 extension 111; or e-mailing us at donations@hillel-ltc.ca

Page 36 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – November 26, 2012

Chanukah Kid Lit

New children’s books: high seas adventures, food and fun

By Penny Schwartz (JTA) – An imaginative historical tale of adventure set on the high seas will captivate young readers this Chanukah season.

Emanuel and the Hanukkah Rescue is one of a few new children’s books for the eight-day Festival of Lights, which begins this year on the evening of December 8.

Meanwhile, two fun-filled books aim to get food-loving kids of all ages into the kitchen with tantalizing menus, while offering other fun holiday activities.

Latkes from around the world Light the Menorah Laugh & Learn with Rabbi Tuvia Hoffman Tuesday, December 11th @ 7:30 pm Bijou Lounge 129 Bank St. (corner Slater) For adults ages 19 - 99 Couvert $18 (cash bar) Emanuel and the Hanukkah Rescue

By Heidi Smith Hyde Illustrated by Jamel Akib Kar-Ben Ages 5-9 From the opening pages of Emanuel and the Hanukkah Rescue, young readers will know they’re in for something out of the ordinary. Set in the 18th century whaling port of New Bedford, Massachusetts, the fictionalized historical tale by Heidi Smith Hyde tells the story of a spirited nine-yearold Jewish boy named Emanuel Aguilar whose father is a merchant who sells sailing supplies and other provisions to the city’s whalers.

“Papa, when will I be old enough to go to sea?” Emanuel asks his father, who cautions his son against the dangers of whaling.

Emanuel yearns to place the family menorah in the window during Chanukah, but his father is fearful, recalling the tragedy of the Inquisition in his home country of Portugal, where Jews were not free to practise their faith.

“This isn’t Portugal, Papa. This is America!” Emanuel protests, reminding his father that Chanukah celebrates religious freedom.

On the last day of Chanukah, Emanuel stows away aboard a whaling ship, leaving a note for his papa explaining his hope to be free. But a sudden and vicious storm transforms the fun adventure, as Emanuel learns firsthand the dangers of the sea. By story’s end, the reunited father and son find hope

and courage in the light of Chanukah and its power to inspire freedom.

Artist Jamel Akib’s richly coloured pastel paintings cast a luminous glow across the landscape. His highly detailed, realistic illustrations put readers into the story, from the interiors of the merchant shop and the family home to the dramatic scenes at sea.

One double-page spread depicts the busy working waterfront where angular, strong whalers unload crates and barrels from ships.

Hyde was inspired to create the story after reading an article about Jewish involvement in New Bedford’s whaling industry. Jews were an integral part of the industry in New England coastal areas, she learned, serving as merchants, candle exporters and even ship owners. Some Jews in the region practised their faith in secret.

Hyde says she was struck by the parallels with Chanukah, with its themes of the miracle of the oil and religious freedom. In Emanuel, she wanted to explore what it means to hide one’s identity.

“Mostly, I want kids to realize that it’s important to be themselves, not to be afraid of who they are,” she told JTA.

Hanukkah Sweets and Treats

By Ronne Randall Windmill Books This colourful book offers step-by-step instructions for six holiday recipes, including Luscious Latkes, Easy Applesauce, Fudgy Gelt and a Cupcake Menorah. The large print format with lots of photographs and graphics opens with a two-page spread, “Before You Begin Cooking,” with lists of what you will need as well as safety precau(Continued on page 37)

November 26, 2012 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – Page 37

From sweets and treats to Maccabee meals (Continued from page 36)

tions and even a section on how to use measuring spoons.

Boxed sidebars offer little-known facts on the history of apples, a note on the nutrition of potatoes (must be before they’re fried in oil) and this astonishing statistic: The

largest bakery in Israel produces up to 250,000 sufganiyot – Israeli-style filled doughnuts – on each of the eight days of Chanukah. A simple glossary defines words including dough, Maccabees, vitamin and Yiddish.

Maccabee Meals Food and Fun for Hanukkah

By Judye Groner and Madeline Wikler Illustrated by Ursula Roma Kar-Ben Ages 7-12 Authors Judye Groner and Madeline Wikler know a thing or two about kids and fun for the Jewish holidays. The pair have co-written more than two dozen books, including their first, My Very Own Haggadah, which has sold more

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than two million copies.

Maccabee Meals features large, easy-to-read print, lots of lively illustrations and a selection of enticing, unique recipes such as Waffle Latkes with yogurt, or a tea sandwich in the design of a menorah. Interspersed with the recipes and drawings are short stories and other Chanukah facts. One box tells readers that Chanukah and Christmas coincide once every 38 years. Who knew?

All recipes are marked with a dreidel symbol indicating whether they are dairy, meat or pareve; and with a dreidel score ranging from no-cooking ease to the harder use of hot stove with an adult. Instructions for crafts, playing dreidel and candle blessings complete the book. Parents will most appreciate the page on party etiquette and this one-liner: “Remember, good cooks always leave the kitchen neat and clean.”

Page 38 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – November 26, 2012

Walking for wellness never goes out of style Walking is a type of aerobic exercise that’s safe and suitable for all ages and all levels of fitness. Walking is less stressful on the joints than many other physical activities.

How often should you walk or engage in some form of aerobic exercise?

According to the 2011 Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines prepared by the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology, adults “should accumulate at least 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous intensity aerobic physical activity per week, in bouts of 10 minutes or more.” That’s what it takes to reduce your risk by 30 per cent of premature allcause mortality, cardiovascular disease, stroke, hypertension, colon cancer, breast cancer and Type 2 diabetes.

Walking is an inexpensive and convenient way to keep fit. All you need is a pair of comfortable shoes. You can walk outdoors. You can take different routes. You can walk on a treadmill or an indoor walking track or join one of the many free mall-walking clubs.

If you’re currently sedentary or have a health issue, check with your doctor to make sure you’ve got the goahead to exercise. Begin slowly and build up your distance, pace or duration over many weeks. Walk briskly and swing your arms for a true power walk.

As your fitness level improves and you become capable of walking a few kilometres, challenge yourself by adding an incline. If you’re on a treadmill, increase the incline setting. If you’re outdoors, include some uphill walking. The greater the intensity, the more calories you’ll burn.

Keeping track of your achievements is very motivational. You can use a pedometer to track the number of steps you walk each day. You can download free smartphone apps that use GPS to track your route, distance and approximate calories burned. Record your daily accomplishments.

At the end of each week or month, you can see what you’ve

Focus on Fitness Gloria Schwartz done and how much you’ve improved.

You’ll get the most health benefits if you walk in the zone, which is 60 to 80 per cent of your maximum heart rate. If you’re new to exercise, aim for 50 per cent as a starting point.

How can you tell if you’re in the zone? The most accurate way is to wear a heart rate monitor. Or calculate your target heart rate zone then manually check your pulse during your walk to see if you’re in the zone. For instructions on calculating your target heart rate zone and checking your pulse, see my blog at trainergloria.blogspot.ca.

Another way to estimate your level of effort during exercise is to be aware of body signs such as how hard you’re breathing and how fast your heart is beating.

You can usually tell you’re working at an optimal intensity if you can comfortably string together a few words. If you’re unable to talk at a given pace or incline, it’s too intense for you. If you can talk non-stop without difficulty, it’s too easy for you.

You can rate your level of perceived exertion on a scale of 1 to 10 during your walk: 1 is very easy; 2 is easy; 3 is moderate; 4 is somewhat hard; 5-6 is hard; 7-9 is very hard; and 10 is very, very hard.

Here’s how to convert walking from a leisure activity

into a fat-burning, health-promoting workout: • Warm up with at least five minutes of slow walking or dynamic stretching. (Work at intensity level 2-3 or easy to moderate.)

• Walk for the desired number of minutes.

• Check if you’re in your target heart rate zone or rate your level of perceived exertion. Adjust your intensity accordingly. (Walk at intensity level 4-6 or somewhat hard to hard. If you’re already fit, occasionally push yourself to level 7-8 or very hard.)

• After your walk, cool down with five minutes of slow walking (level 2-3).

• End with a few minutes of static stretching for your upper and lower body muscle groups.

• Record your achievement.

• Have a post-exercise nutritious snack to refuel.

Trainer Gloria’s Tips: • Set a personal goal. For example, within three months, work up to walking four km in 30 minutes, five times per week.

• Wear layered clothing. You’ll sweat after a few minutes.

• Drink water before, during and after exercising.

• Walk with good posture.

• Make safety a priority. Watch out for potholes, icy patches and traffic.

Unlike exercise fads that come and go over the years, walking is here to stay.

Mazal tov to the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin on its 75 anniversary! May we continue to read it in good health for years to come.

Send your questions and comments to gloria.schwartz@rogers.com.

November 26, 2012 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – Page 39

Hold Abbas accountable for Palestinian Authority’s incitement The early morning call from the White House interrupts a lovely dream about Alfie’s first hat trick after the NHL lockout.

“Babs, the president needs you!” the chief of staff barks.

“He wants to know what he should be doing about Israel and the Palestinians.”

“Start by following your own laws,” I tell him. “Quit vetoing Congress. And stop trying to turn bad guys into good guys.”

OK, the lockout isn’t over, and I’m still waiting by the phone for U.S. President Barack Obama to seek my advice.

But my counsel to the newly re-elected president is not as glib as it sounds.

Days before the U.S. presidential election, Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas offered to return to negotiations with Israel – as long as negotiations start with pre-1967 borders and the partition of Jerusalem.

Israeli President Shimon Peres, former prime minister Ehud Olmert, former Kadima leader Tzipi Livni and Peace Now were beside themselves with joy, and ran out of adjectives to laud Abbas as a true “partner for peace.”

But it was really just another stalling tactic by a leader who’s been a master at portraying himself as a moderate while skillfully derailing the peace negotiations.

First of all, borders and the future of Jerusalem are final status issues, not preconditions for talks. It’s sad and embarrassing that leaders like Peres, Olmert and Livni are so eager for a peace deal at any price they are ready to roll over on these essential negotiation points without getting anything in return.

And Abbas was still being coy about whether he’s pushing for the right for millions of Palestinians to return to the homes their ancestors occupied before the State of Israel was established.

Even if Abbas were proposing a reasonable starting point, we have to look at his past actions, not his grandstanding, to see how serious he is about making peace with Israel.

Rest assured, I am not always going to mention my work

My Israel Barbara Crook with Palestinian Media Watch (PMW) in this space. But, in their 2011 book, Deception: Betraying the Peace Process (tinyurl.com/PMW-Deception), my PMW colleagues Itamar Marcus and Nan Jacques Zilberdik document a year’s worth of Palestinian Authority incitement to hatred, denial of right to exist, and glorification of terror and terrorists.

This included monuments, summer camps and sports tournaments named after the most infamous suicide terrorists, perpetuation of blood libels such as the claim that Israel carries out Nazi-like experiments on Palestinian prisoners, and schoolbooks that define the war against Israel as a religious obligation.

The key is that the book’s hundreds of examples of this blatant undermining of the peace process occurred throughout the 2010 ‘proximity’ talks and peace talks brokered by the Quartet of the United States, the European Union, the United Nations and Russia.

And they explicitly violated the Quartet’s conditions for these talks. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton stated in Congress in April 2009 that the PA had to “unambiguously and explicitly” commit to “non-violence, recognition of Israel, and acceptance of previous agreements and obligations, including the Road Map.” The latter had called for “all official Palestinian institutions” to end incitement against Israel.

But these violations were ignored by Clinton and Obama.

Similarly, the U.S. Congress has tried on several occasions to suspend hundreds of millions of dollars in direct aid to the Palestinian Authority. The U.S. Foreign Opera-

tions Bill prohibits aid to any individual, educational institution or government that “advocates, plans, sponsors, engages in or has engaged in terrorist activities.”

But both former president George W. Bush and Obama have consistently used their presidential veto powers to overrule Congress and release the aid money – a likely outcome for the $495 million in PA aid that Congress is currently trying to withhold.

The problem is that U.S. foreign policy needs to have a bad guy and a good guy. Since the U.S. declared Hamas to be a terrorist organization in 2007, it’s clung to the notion that Abbas and the PA have to be the good guys – even when their ideology and intransigence are hard to distinguish from those of Hamas.

And, the fact is, no government wants to punish Palestinian civilians for the sins of their leaders.

But there’s nothing to stop the U.S. from using its political, legal and financial clout to help the Palestinian people by making their leaders stop inciting against peace and get back to legitimate peace talks.

Instead of an all or nothing approach to foreign aid, why not establish quarterly performance benchmarks, and release aid money only when those standards are met?

If the U.S. doesn’t want to rely on the Israeli government’s Incitement Index (tinyurl.com/incitement-index), it can do its own research. The PA’s media and textbooks are in the public domain, so it would easy to determine, for example, if they stopped naming events and institutions after terrorists.

The time has come to stop assuming Abbas and the PA are somehow incapable of change, and to make them accountable.

And for those of you who are convinced that it’s all Israel’s fault, getting the PA back to peace talks without preconditions and without allowing its leaders to undermine the prospects for peace would be a serious test of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s commitment to a two-state solution.

My phone is on, Mr. President.

Emerging generation of young Jewish adults revealed in essay collection Living Jewishly: A Snapshot of a Generation Edited by Stefanie Pervos Bregman Academic Studies Press 155 pages The Jewish Federation of Ottawa has put a great deal of effort and resources into engaging young Jewish adults – primarily those in their 20s and 30s – and into developing leadership among those in that emerging generation. Symposia have been held, new programs, committees and events have been created – even a new fundraising division within the Federation’s Annual Campaign.

The Federation has not been alone in this quest. Jewish federations in many other North American cities have been on similar quests, including Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, which commissioned this book edited by staff member Stefanie Pervos Bregman.

Living Jewishly: A Snapshot of a Generation is an anthology of 45 essays, including a prologue and an epilogue

by Bregman, written by young Jewish adults between the ages of 20 and 40, all engaged in some way or another in Jewish life, about how they live their lives, or certain as-

pects of their lives, Jewishly.

The book brings together a diverse group of essayists from around the United States. They include people committed to the Orthodox, Conservative and Reform movements, as well as secularists. There are some who express their Jewishness through artistic pursuits, others who are involved in Jewish communal life. Some are converts and some are lesbian and gay.

Among the most interesting essays are by those who have developed an individual approach to religious practice.

Farrah Fidler, who calls herself a neo-Chassid, practises a primarily Orthodox lifestyle, but doesn’t dress the part and hits the bars on Saturday night.

Nina Badzin writes that she grew up in Reform Judaism and was not particularly observant. But, five years into her marriage, she adopted family purity laws, including monthly mikvah visits, while continuing to talk on her cell phone on Shabbat and cherry-picking from other areas of observance in a Reformadox lifestyle.

Several essays are by gays and lesbians finding their place at the Jewish table. David Levy writes it was much

Book Review Michael Regenstreif easier coming out to his parents than to his campus Hillel group in the 1990s, while Chai Wolfman describes her grandmother’s evolution from being opposed to gay marriage to hosting Wolfman’s marriage. Tera “Nova Jade” Greene writes about the multiple facets of her identity as an African-American, Jewish lesbian actively engaged as a community volunteer.

Several other essays discuss issues surrounding intermarriage and conversion. Alyssa Latala, who is Jewish, describes the moment of truth in telling her Catholic fiancé she wants to raise their children as Jews in a Jewish home (he agrees), while Sarah Malakoff describes growing up Catholic as the daughter of a Jewish father and Catholic mother and converting to Judaism as an adult.

Each of the essays in Living Jewishly is short, most of them just two or three pages long, many of them having first appeared on blogs and websites. Each gives some kind of insight into how individual young Jews choose to express themselves Jewishly. The collection of essays, taken together, does indeed provide an interesting snapshot of a generation.

Page 40 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – November 26, 2012

‘Does one’s motivation for engaging in Jewish life matter?’

Writing in Commentary magazine (“The Ten Commandments of America’s Jews,” June 2012), Jack Wertheimer, a scholar of contemporary Jewry, took aim at what he sees as the new 10 commandments of Jewish life.

These commitments and practices, according to Wertheimer, are defined by an array of (mostly politically liberal and non-Orthodox) Jewish educators, leaders and everyday Jews and include the imperative to repair the world; to be pluralistic; to be non-judgmental; to be nontribal; to create caring communities; to seek meaning; to personalize one’s Judaism; to encourage the airing of all views; to celebrate one’s Jewishness; and to hold the Jewish conversation in public.

Sounds laudable, no? But Wertheimer’s criticisms of this new Jewish zeitgeist are harsh and pointed.

“By far the most problematic aspect of the new consensus is not its internal contradictions and hypocrisies, but its substance – in particular, its acquiescence in an unbridled individualism and its evident indifference to collective Jew-

ish needs. The emphasis of today’s 10 commandments is on what institutions owe to individuals ... while virtually nothing is asked of the individual beyond the mere sentiment of do-goodism,” he writes.

Wertheimer is also concerned by what he views as an overly universalist push.

“As our religious thinkers shift their gaze to ‘the universal condition,’ who will tend to the condition of the Jewish people?” he asks.

“And as American Jews comfort themselves in the knowledge that anti-Semitism is alien to American society, who will teach them that the rules of Jewish history probably have not been suspended despite the relatively benign spirit of our time?”

With much ink being spilled recently over whether progressive Jews are tribal enough, the issue is certainly a live one.

The deeper question that needs to be asked, though, is what is at stake either way.

Priest is dedicated to uncovering mass executions during the Holocaust Father Patrick Desbois was the keynote speaker at the gala banquet of this year’s International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies conference in Paris. Who is Desbois and why is a Roman Catholic priest from France of so much interest to Jewish genealogists?

Born in 1955, Desbois began his career in 1978 teaching mathematics in Africa for the French government. Later, he went to Calcutta where he worked with Mother Teresa setting up homes for the dying. He was ordained in 1986, and within a few years, found himself working for the Church on matters related to Judaism in France. In 1999, he was appointed secretary to the French Conference of Bishops for relations with the Jewish community and became an adviser to the Vatican on Jewish matters.

Desbois had always had an interest in the Jewish people, particularly in their Holocaust experiences. His grandfather, a French soldier during the Second World War, had been deported to the Rawa-Ruska Nazi prison camp. While his grandfather did not talk very much about his time there, what Desbois did know left him curious about the Holocaust and motivated him to learn about Judaism and anti-Semitism.

Just as we Jews often return to visit the sites of our ancestral shtetls in Eastern Europe, in 2002, Desbois wanted to see where his grandfather had been imprisoned 60 years earlier.

He travelled to Ukraine and visited Rawa-Ruska. He had learned that, before the war, the town was home to more than 15,000 Jews. Upon arrival, he asked about the events that took the lives of those people. The mayor and others were evasive and Desbois was frustrated because no one would talk about the horrors that took place there.

Desbois returned to Rawa-Ruska three more times and, on his fourth visit, the new mayor took him to the site of the mass killing of the last 1,500 Jews of the town. Desbois learned the sad tale, one repeated so many times in Eastern Europe, of Jewish victims being forced to turn over their possessions and then being forced to dig their own mass graves.

Locals were then enlisted to clean up the site so that, when the next group of victims was brought in to suffer the same fate, there would be no evidence of what had happened there earlier.

Once the story was told to him by the mayor and some of the townspeople, others became anxious to provide more details. He began to collect testimonies of the villagers, most of them now in their 80s or older. Perhaps it was six decades of guilt associated with keeping a secret, or perhaps it was the

Connecting the branches John Diener trust Desbois in his clerical collar instilled in the residents, but slowly the story came out.

The experience in Rawa-Ruska was life changing for Desbois and, with others, he helped found Yahad-in-Unum – the name is a combination of the Hebrew and Latin words for ‘united’ – an organization whose mission, as noted at yahadinunum.org is “to systematically identify and document every single site of mass execution of Jews, Roma and other victims by the Nazis and their allies in Eastern Europe during World War II. The objectives are to substantiate this ‘Holocaust by bullets,’ to irrevocably refute the Holocaust deniers of today and tomorrow, to serve as a permanent warning to humanity of the dangers of genocide and to allow for the respectful remembrance of the fallen.”

To further this goal, Desbois and his team of investigators travel extensively through Eastern Europe, primarily in Ukraine and Belarus, interviewing witnesses and using forensic techniques to uncover the sites of mass burials. Metal detectors are used to locate evidence such as German bullets and buried jewelry belonging to victims. Desbois estimates there are more than one million victims buried in 1,200 graves in Ukraine alone.

Desbois’ talk at the conference was presented with slides of his visits to some towns. The images, depicting elderly villagers revealing secrets buried in their minds for so long, were extremely moving. In many cases, it looked like these witnesses felt relieved to tell their tales late in their lives, that a burden was being lifted allowing them to now die in peace.

Desbois also spoke about how he is educating people as he travels through these remote regions, both about the terrible events of the Holocaust, and about the Jewish people in general, dispelling many beliefs that still prevail in these regions.

The talk ended with a resounding ovation for the work of Desbois and Yahad-in-Unum showing great appreciation for the outstanding life work of this amazing man.

Values, Ethics, Community Mira Sucharov In other words, does one’s motivation for engaging in Jewish life matter?

If today’s non-Orthodox Jews are motivated to engage in Jewish communal matters by the spirit of tikkun olam rather than by the imperative of covenant, will Jewish life actually be any weaker? If one pursues Shabbat observance out of a sense of weekly rhythm and the positive impact Shabbat down time can have on family life, rather than out of a commitment to halachah, will Jewish collective life be compromised?

Perhaps.

If one is guided by values that exist in parallel to Torah, halachah and covenant, rather than by values that derive directly from them, there is certainly the risk one might find a way to fulfil those values in other ways. For whatever non-sacred reasons, one might decide Sunday is a more comfortable family day than Saturday, for example. Or one might decide one’s neighbourhood community centre is more convenient for communal life than the JCC, or than one’s shul. Or French, or Mandarin, is a more relevant language to teach one’s children than is Hebrew. And so on.

Wertheimer’s implications have logical merits. But the reverse may equally be true. The problem with criticizing the more liberal-derived ethos of non-Orthodox Judaism is that there is strategic value for the maintenance of Jewish life in the very flexibility Wertheimer rails against.

Orthodoxy implies an absolute commitment to Torah life, which is both its strength and its weakness. Its strength is that the system is all-encompassing. According to the Orthodox world view, there is no such thing as keeping a bit kosher, or sort of keeping Shabbat. For the Orthodox, selective engagement in Jewish practice is like being a little bit pregnant: you simply cannot be.

On the other hand, if someone leaves the fold – or ‘walks off the derekh (path),’ according to the Orthodox expression – there is simply much less to fall back on. Once someone has left a strict adherence to covenant behind, it may be harder to embrace a rhythm of Jewish practice that is less covenantal. Other streams of Judaism and ways of being Jewish may simply seem illegitimate, inauthentic or simply dull.

A final rejoinder to Wertheimer is that there may simply be no choice. As compelling as Wertheimer’s argument for the importance of Jewish life being defined by a sense of collective obligation, in the marketplace of ideas these collectivist impulses may be falling by the wayside. If you want to connect with people’s spiritual core, you need to connect with their spirit. And, if their spirit today is nonjudgmental, universalistic, authenticity-seeking and pluralistic, then Wertheimer’s plea may simply go unanswered. In that case, Jewish life will be that much more anemic than even Wertheimer fears it is today.

Mira Sucharov, an associate professor of political science at Carleton University, blogs at Haaretz.com.

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November 26, 2012 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – Page 41

Page 42 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – November 26, 2012

International trade, foreign investment and protection I’d like to congratulate the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin for 75 years of service to our community. This paper has served with distinction and it is truly an honour to have the opportunity to be part of its history.

Now, let’s talk about foreign investment.

The Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA) is said to be the most significant foreign investment enticement since NAFTA. It would encourage investors from China and India to invest in Canada, offering them a wide range of legal protections that could have unexpected results. According to the government, Canada needs FIPA to remain competitive in the global market.

Others believe FIPA will snuff out of the last flicker of our independence by multinationals and foreign interests. There is concern that, under FIPA, Chinese or Indian companies will be able to sue provincial or municipal governments that enact any legislation that hits their profits.

Does a country like Canada, with very liberal laws and an independent Supreme Court, need to offer such broad protection to its would-be investors? Does the Investment Canada Act not apply? Are we not in a position of power, owning all of our own natural resources? In the Middle East, do the states not own their own oil and gas resources?

Funnily enough, Chinese, Indian, European and Japanese partners don’t seek such protection.

Now that we have FIPA, do we need to amend the Canada Investment Act? Those who are pro-FIPA say ‘yes,’ while the anti-FIPA folks are unsure. But the debate about whether it should be amended will come soon. Once the government releases its ruling on the $15 billion bid by state-owned China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) to buy Calgarybased Nexen in December, the debate on how we can protect ourselves will gear up. Ottawa’s rejection of the $6 bil-

World Affairs Oliver Javanpour lion bid from PETRONAS, a Malaysian governmentowned oil and gas company, to take over Calgary’s Progress Energy Resources Corp. may have worrying implications for CNOOC’s bid for Nexen.

The Nexen deal was not seen universally as a good one

by Conservative supporters across the country, especially in the oil-rich West. Some Alberta and Saskatchewan Conservative MPs were among those who opposed or had concerns about the Nexen deal. Now that the government has extended the deadline to make its decision to December 10, some say making its decision close to the House of Commons’ Christmas recess may be the most convenient way for the government to limit debate on the topic.

FIPA supporters point out one of the reasons Canadian business has not excelled in investment in China is the Chinese needed some reciprocity. Is it because the Chinese don’t think our constitution, liberal laws and human rights can be trusted to protect their profits? And, in return, will they offer our Canadian companies the same level of protection, something China’s government can’t even offer its own citizens and investors. China’s new and rich capitalists are voting with their feet. According to the Washingtonbased Global Financial Integrity, China’s elites stashed some $472 billion outside the country last year alone. The

AEPi is not a stereotypical fraternity When the Chanukah story is told, it often starts with Alexander the Great.

His successor, more than a century later, was Greek-Syrian ruler Antiochus, the oppressor who tried to assimilate the Jews by forcing Greek culture on them, sparking Judah the Maccabee’s revolt.

Everyone knows the rest: the Jews reclaim the temple, and while they only find enough oil to light the menorah for one day, it lasts for eight. But it all started with a culture clash between the Jews and the Greeks.

To me, the relationship between Jewish and Greek isn’t simply a foreign concept lost in history. This may sound strange, but it applies to my daily life on campus. I’m talking about Greek-letter organizations: fraternities and sororities.

I’ve shied away from this topic in the past, mainly because I’ve never been interested in joining. In fact, I’ve had my hesitations about the Greek community – as the fraternity and sorority community is referred to – because they are prominent and controversial on my campus.

In mainstream media, frats and sororities worldwide are often criticized. You’ve also probably seen headlines about hazing, alcohol poisoning and exclusion.

There was also the idea that I don’t need to turn to the Greeks if I want an instant network of close friends: I have Jewish organizations for that.

Yet, the Jewish and Greek communities do collide in Alpha Epsilon Pi (AEPi), the international Jewish fraternity. For whatever reason, I’ve neglected AEPi thus far in my column.

So, in the spirit of Chanukah, it’s time I brought the subject to light.

I was reminded of AEPi while reading a recent Charlatan article that profiled students of different religions. The article featured Tobiah Abramson, AEPi social chair, who mentioned

his involvement in the fraternity.

“Tobiah Abramson looks like any other fourth-year Carleton student,” the article begins.

I know what the author was going for – I guess she expected peyos and a kippah – but my first reaction was hostile: “Why wouldn’t he look like any other student? He is just like any other student.”

Then I thought about it and realized Jewish students are, indeed, unique in our morals and traditions. As such, we should have our own spot in the Greek community, which caters to those needs. Right?

What about the harsh rushing and pledging process I’ve seen bring students to tears in movies? What about my friends who claim membership is based on looks alone? Is it all just one big party? None of that seems very Jewish.

“It’s different from other fraternities. Please don’t call it a frat,” Abramson told me. “We have the connecting tissue of religion and culture.”

Whereas people may join other fraternities solely for social reasons, Abramson said that isn’t the case with AEPi. While there is a big social element, they also frequently team up with Hillel Ottawa and Chabad Student Network (CSN) to host events.

For example, proceeds from a club night last year were donated to the Israeli charity, Save a Child’s Heart. They cohosted Heroes Shabbat, “saluting all heroes who saved Jews during the war” with CSN earlier this year.

According to Abramson, AEPi fills what would otherwise be a Jewish void in the Greek community.

“Every fraternity has its own niche of people they attract,” he said. “For example, there are many international fraternities that are strictly black, or Hispanic, or engineering students.”

While hazing might take place in some fraternities, AEPi

recent survey conducted by Merchant Bank and Hurun Institute in China found that nearly 60 per cent of Chinese millionaires are preparing to emigrate. Would FIPA provide Canadian investors with guarantees their patents, copyrights and intellectual property will be respected? It is doubtful. China is a large country and its central government is not always in sufficient control of industry and investment across the entire land.

If FIPA worries you, let me tell you about the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership Agreement (TPP). In early-October, the government announced it has formally joined the talks on this agreement. Initially an agreement between Chile, New Zealand, Singapore and Brunei in 2005, negotiations since 2008 have aimed to bring the United States and other countries including Mexico, Malaysia, Australia, Vietnam and Peru into the agreement. More countries, including Japan and South Korea, were invited to join the negotiations in 2010. Launched as a side project at the 2002 APEC meeting, some say the TPP was intended to sidetrack APEC. The TPP offers similar levels of protection to foreign and internationally owned investment and business as FIPA does, if not more.

Legal experts and scholars have a significant degree of difficulty with TPP, thinking it undemocratic and that it will diminish the independence of states; and, potentially, to be unconstitutional in the United States, Canada and Australia.

These agreements dwarf NAFTA in the depth and breadth of their intrusion and exclusionary processes. Are we giving enough thought to preserving our own independence as we try to balance that need with the need to be a global trader?

Oliver Javanpour is a senior partner at Cyrus Echo, a public policy and international relations consulting firm in Ottawa.

Campus Life Ilana Belfer claims a no-hazing policy that is rigorously upheld.

“It would be contradictory to all the values we preach,” said alumnus Ayal Sadeh.

Although the Ottawa chapter is small, Abramson said it provides the sense of brotherhood he craved when he moved here without knowing anyone after having gone to high school in Minneapolis.

“My favourite thing about AEPi is the closeness of our chapter,” he said. “There is no day where I don’t see at least two brothers just on our own accord and much of my time is spent with them.”

It seems being Greek for Jews on campus actually has the opposite effect it did at the time of the Chanukah story.

“One goal AEPi fulfils is the inclusion and involvement of Jews of all types,” said alumnus Asher Farber. “This helps many Jews who would otherwise simply assimilate into the wash of all students on campus.”

So, while I’m not here to defend all Greek organizations, I am here to defend our own Jewish one. They seem to defy the stereotypes.

It’s important for Jewish students to be represented in all areas of campus life, including the Greek community. That way, fewer articles will begin with the author exclaiming how normal we look.

I do have one last burning question: When’s the Jewish sorority coming?

November 26, 2012 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – Page 43

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May the joy of Chanukah and the peace and goodwill of the season fill our hearts and inspire us to lead lives of compassion.

Happy Chanukah

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Page 44 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – November 26, 2012

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November 26, 2012 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – Page 45

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In Appreciation The Gluzman family and Gloria Krugel wish to express their heartfelt appreciation for the generosity, support and respect with which Leon Gluzman Z�L has been remembered. “The man who does good And does not pursue ‘Kovod’ (Honours) Him will Kovod Overtake� ... Talmud; Nedarim 49b

Israeli developer Izhar Gafni riding the prototype of a cardboard bicycle he designed during a presentation at Microsoft’s high-tech convention ThinkNEXT in Tel Aviv, No(Photo: Dror Garti/Flash90/JTA) vember 5.

$20 cardboard bicycle (Continued from page 33)

Prior to the advent of bug-free vegetables, an innovation that began in the hothouses of Gush Katif in the Gaza Strip, Orthodox Jewish homemakers in Israel would spend hours inspecting individual leaves and vegetables for bugs – most of which are considered unkosher. The homemakers are not looking forward to going back to it again, either.

Fire ants fail to infiltrate Dangerous predators are not only trying to infiltrate Israel’s borders on foot, now they are hiding in shipments of sunflower seeds.

A shipment of the seeds that arrived in Israel earlier this month was infested with a species of fire ant that can kill with its bite, Ynet reported.

Agriculture Ministry inspectors discovered the stingers during a routine inspection and prevented their aliyah.

The stinging ants, which are dangerous as well to local vegetation and wildlife, have more than 285 species. The fire ant has no natural enemy in the food chain, according to Ynet.

The container of sunflower seeds was

sealed and returned to sender.

I want to ride my (cardboard) bicycle Production is set to begin in Israel on a cardboard bicycle.

The $20 bike made entirely from recycled materials is the brainchild of Izhar Gafni of Ahituv, a farming village near Hadera. Gafni, 50, is an inventor, amateur cyclist and expert in designing automated mass-production lines, according to Reuters.

The bike is water- and fire-proof, and its tires are not inflated and thus cannot puncture. It will not have any metal parts, according to NoCamels.com, an Israeli technology website. The bike also uses a car timing belt instead of a chain.

Gafni spent four years perfecting his design. “When we started a year-and-a-half or two years ago, people laughed at us, but now we are getting at least a dozen emails every day asking where they can buy such a bicycle,�

Gafni told Reuters.

A cardboard wheelchair also is set to be manufactured, Israel 21C reported. It will weigh about 20 pounds and be able to carry a person who weighs up to 400 pounds.

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Page 46 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – November 26, 2012

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in day-to-day life in would re- fears involved he asked and not knowing if he Israel. “Is it worth it?”

By Diane Koven differ turn safely. is rhetorically.

Though the reasons may to you He told the audience there ago, the “I would like to propose at the enfrom those of a generation on to now a box of gas masks evening that that conversati this restark a State of Israel still matters , is of trance to his synagogue or not it is worth it from Iran about whether today’s Jews. Its existence threats the of it is why minder and that only read and, more important, the utmost importance to that we in the Diaspora conversation we are a transmitted is it, be worth must message s. on Daniel about in newspaper not having ... The conversati situation the next generation, said the compared Gordis effectively at to about Zionism has Gordis to enthusiastic response of Canadian parents listening we have alto find been hijacked and Centrepointe Theatre. at the radio in the morning it to be hijacked,” said Gordis, the keynote speaker cancelled because lowed Ottawa’s out if school is parents Gordis. the Jewish Federation of Israeli to day was snow a Sep- of In the past, when Israel Annual Campaign Kickoff, children should said Israel wondering if their only as a place of tember 9, emphatically rockets have thought of , of refuge. go to school when refuge, and the Jews as underdogs is no longer just a place very differ, modern fallen in the area. were the conversation was It is a strong, productive “No snow, but rockets according to offer the sov- ent. Today’s Jews, country with much to falling on undisputed, Israeli comfortable dismore are Gordis, Israel’s of world. “but -Israeli ereign territory because cussing the Arab Spring, Gordis, an American said. he about can do began existence,” rabbi there is nothing we who made aliyah in 1998, Gordis, a Conservative from in Egypt ... or in his address with anecdotes ent and the what happens Israel, de- and senior vice-presid his own family’s life in Fellow at the Syria,” he said. is that parents Koret Distinguished “We can affect how it scribing the angst of in Jerusalem, is a ... to begin serving in Shalem Center and Jews think about Israel whose young sons are late- prolific author, columnist the to frame a conversation in which I the of fear the and the army some of (Continued on page 2) a son speaker. He described s and night telephone call from out” many personal challenge calling to say he was “going

to British Muslim Zionist telephone interview. z’s After reading Dershowit untruths book debunking many a periabout Israel, Hafeez entered research, od of soul-searching and ng which culminated in life-changi 23. trip to Israel at the age of MusNow 28, the British-born is now a lim of Pakistani origin and Zionist with a deep respect repreadmiration for what Israel sents.

supportmy family who are very I have ive, and there are some nothing to do with,” he said. job in Hafeez has a full-time t of a departmen s admission the also runs Nottingham college. He blogs at the Israel Campaign and is a He rg. theisraelcampaign.o is fellow at the Lawfare Project, of Standon the advisory board r of WithUs U.K., is a co-directo (Continued on page 2)

613-744-6444

ion No. Publications Mail Registrat

07519

a telephone intervi ew with the Ottaw ish Bulletin from a his Jerusalem office. Jew- large event and a lot knowing inside with- answe of factors. Rescu “The complex r myself that I’d e is a done all a ways is that Wallenberg is really in issue, not black man could do to many things and white. Many save as many Jews representative help us understand of the free or sible,” Swedish as pos- world. western diplomat Raoul why Wallenberg.”

The issues are Wallenberg especi He’s really the only diplom told an embassy still important and at who is today. colleague in 1944 ally sent into an relevant before the ders Soviet army entere area with expres s orto engage in d Budap “When we ask rescue On the 100th annive est. activit questio ies where took Jews are being ns about why rsary of the birth deported.” so long for the it Raoul Wallenberg, of free world to send Rozett’s ongoin his body into the fray, someg subject of researc discussed and honou heroism is still being been we have to ask h has own red the Holocaust in red. what our lines are to Hungary.

“There are a “My very first lot of events threatening situatio respond to people in a research for my around the [on] world this year n,” he said. “We PhD was look celebrating his rescue in Hunga have to at our history to birth and ry, and Wallenburg cussing his activit try to understand ies during the Holoc dis- a central figure. He was was and what that said Robert Rozett we should do not aust,” but he in our own situawas part of a confed the only rescuer, tion.” , director of Vashem Librar eration of people ies in Jerusalem, the Yad in Hungary involv It is an issue for ed in rescue togeth who will give the keynot Israel and for other er.”

Another aspect e address, Raoul tries as well. counof Rozett’s talk, Wallenberg will 1912-2012, at he said, the Holocaust be “Unfortunately Education send on why it took the world so Month launch we live in a world event. long to a lot someone like Wallen where of people live “I’ll be talking berg into under dron the caul- tions can of the Holocaust. threat. What acabout ‘why him?’ we take that actuall some of the other and not “Why righteous,” said y help the situation? We look Rozett in dapest didn’t it happen earlier? Why back at what might Bu- with our , 1944? We’re help us Robert Rozett, direct own problems. talking about or of the Vashe a very History never Yad tells the m Libraries in Jerusalem, (Continued on page 2)

will give keynote addre Education Month ss at the Holocaust launch event.

By Maxine Miska traditions with Soloway JCC all of Jewish community.” the Ottawa Jewish progra mming in Ottaw a,” said Amzallag.

The Sephardi Association was “We hope the comrecently renew ed after some years munity takes advantage music, of art, food and of the events being organi relative inactiv religious traditio ity. A small zed in our first ns group of when the Sepha Sephardi Festiv individuals met rdi Association al.” almost of two years Ottawa launch The Festiv ago with es its Festival from Novemfirst Sephardi new and innova a vision for day, Novem al begins on Thursber 22 with an tive programs ber 22 to 25. exhibiaimed at both “We are very the Sephardi com- tion and vernissage of proud of the Sephardi many centuries munity and Ottaw of our cultural a’s broader Jew- and Israeli paintings from Montr tra- ish comm ditions,” said Eva eal’s Aliyah Arts unity.

Amzallag, presGalerie. Artists ident of the Sepha “Our goal is to Michel D’Ana rdi Association help build the stasio and Haim of Ottawa. “We Sephardi presen Sherrf will welcom are very excited e viewers at a to through cultura ce in Ottawa vernis be celebrating sage at the Solow and sharing these l, religious and ay Jewish so- Comm cial activities, unity while also enrich Centre (SJCC ing ) from Israeli (Continued

Immerse yourser lf in Sephardi Kickoff, Septembe at the Annual Campaign culture for a few Waiser) days: experience (Photo: Peter Daniel Gordis speaks the richness of 9, at Centrepointe Theatre.

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his Hafeez will speak about on journey to Zionism in Ottawa October 17. for On seeing the blind hatred of society, Israel in so many facets responsithe Hafeez feels he has the truth bility to stand up, speak and convey the facts. of his He describes the views efforts as relatives regarding his quite mixed. of “There are some members

Editor: Micha el Regenstreif $2.00

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By Louise Rachlis up Kasim Hafeez says he grew hated the as an anti-Semite who in a State of Israel. Browsing of bookstore in his hometown 21, age at Nottingham, England, z’s The he spotted Alan Dershowit Case for Israel.

“I picked it up on the premise will it that case; no has that Israel told be easy to disprove,” Hafeez in a the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin

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November 26, 2012 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – Page 47

Lunchtime nostalgia and go-to comfort food A big bowl of steaming hot tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich are the consummate comfort lunchtime meal for many a school-age child. However, my childhood lunchtime never included this classic tummy warmer.

When I was growing up, my sisters and I came home from school every day for lunch. Our public school was a short, eight-minute walk from our house. The walk could be done in seven minutes, if we took the shortcut but, as I recall, that meant passing by a scary house, so we toughed out the extra minute. We always watched The Flintstones at lunchtime and usually ate Kraft Dinner, or a Swanson’s chicken pot pie, or a TV dinner. It was the 70s and we were a modern family!

I never really developed a taste for tomato soup until recently. I tried Campbell’s Tomato Soup in university and didn’t particularly care for it. If I needed comfort, my go-to soup was my mom’s chicken soup or, in a pinch, Campbell’s Chicken Noodle.

Lately, I have been noticing tomato soup popping up on

restaurant menus and on all the food websites and magazines. The world is a darker and scarier place now and I suppose tomato soup is the quintessential reminder of those simpler, gentler times.

I discovered this Brown Sugar Roasted Tomato Soup at seriouseats.com. I get e-mail every day from them. Serious Eats is a website focused on celebrating and sharing food enthusiasm through blogs, video and online community.

They are passionate about food, informative, inclusive and they make me laugh.

Instead of serving this soup with the traditional grilled cheese sandwich, it gets a topping of cheddar cheese croutons. Brilliant, and quite delicious, this may become your new favourite go-to comfort food when your world seems a little too treacherous and uncertain to handle.

The recipe for Kale and Sugar Snap Pea Salad comes from the food section of the New York Times. My friend Christine served it to me on a girls’ weekend. It makes a perfect modern accompaniment to the soup.

Brown Sugar Roasted Tomato Soup Lauren Rothman of seriouseats.com created this delicious soup.

Nonstick cooking spray 2 (28 ounce) cans whole peeled tomatoes, drained, liquid reserved Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 3 tablespoons dark or light brown sugar Half a medium loaf of focaccia bread cut into a 1/2-inch dice (about 3 cups bread cubes) 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 1/2 cup finely grated sharp cheddar cheese (use a Microplane grater) 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 4 large shallots, peeled and roughly chopped 1 large or 2 medium garlic cloves, peeled and chopped (about 2 teaspoons) 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves (optional) 1 tablespoon tomato paste About 3 cups water 1/2 cup half-and-half Adjust oven racks to middle positions and preheat oven to 375 F. Prepare the tomatoes: Spray a large rimmed sheet tray with an even coating of cooking spray.

Add drained tomatoes and space evenly. Season tomatoes to taste with salt and pepper, then divide brown

sugar over tops of tomatoes. Roast tomatoes in oven until sugar is browned and tomatoes have shrunk slightly, about 45 minutes. Remove tomatoes from oven.

Meanwhile, prepare the croutons. In a large bowl, toss cubed bread with olive oil, salt and pepper to taste, and grated cheddar cheese. Massage bread so cheese adheres well.

Turn out onto a rimmed baking sheet and bake, stirring occasionally, until well-browned and crisp, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool.

Prepare the soup: Heat butter in a large, heavy-bottomed Dutch oven set over medium heat. Add shallots, garlic, and thyme (if using), and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until shallots are translucent, but not browned, about 6 minutes.

Add tomato paste and cook, stirring, until it browns, about 2 minutes. Add roasted tomatoes, reserved tomato liquid, and enough water to cover, about 3 cups.

Bring soup to a boil; reduce to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until some liquid has evaporated, about 30 minutes.

Let soup cool slightly, about 10 minutes. Add halfand-half and use a hand blender to blend soup until smooth.

Alternatively, blend soup in a blender in two batches.

Check soup for seasoning, adding more salt and pepper to taste.

Serve in bowls, garnished with a handful of croutons.

Made with Love Cindy Feingold Kale and Sugar Snap Pea Salad This recipe comes from the New York Times food section (June 27, 2012).

Serves 6 3/4 cup canola oil 1/2 cup peeled, chopped ginger 1/4 cup miso paste 1/2 cup rice vinegar, or as needed Finely grated zest and juice of 2 lemons or limes 1/4 cup sugar, or as needed Coarse salt and black pepper 2 tablespoons sugar 8 dried apricots 1 medium bunch kale (coarse stems removed and discarded), roughly chopped 2 cups sugar snap peas, stemmed 4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled 1/4 cup almonds, toasted and coarsely chopped 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint leaves, or as needed Make the dressing: In a blender or food processor, combine the oil, ginger, miso, 1/2 cup vinegar, lemon or lime zest and juice, and sugar. Process for about 30 seconds to form a creamy emulsion. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and add vinegar, if needed.

Make the salad: In a small saucepan over mediumlow heat, combine the sugar with 1/4 cup water. Add the dried apricots and poach just until rehydrated, 2 to 3 minutes, then remove from heat. Dice apricots into quarters.

In a serving bowl, combine the kale, snap peas and feta. Add salad dressing to taste, and toss well. Sprinkle with almonds and garnish with poached apricots.

Sprinkle with mint and serve.

Give a Chanukah gift subscription to the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin!

Special rates valid until January 11, 2013.

Call Barry Silverman for details 613-798-4696, ext. 256

Page 48 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – November 26, 2012

WHAT’S GOING ON

November 26 to December 9, 2012 WEEKLY EVENTS MONDAYS Motorin Munchkins drop-in program for children 5 and under.

Kids expend lots of energy, supervised by a parent or guardian, 9:00 am to 11:45 am. Info: 613798-9818, ext. 294.

Chaverim, offered by Jewish Family Services to Jewish seniors with mild cognitive impairment, 2255 Carling Avenue, 11:00 am.

Info: 613-722-2225, ext. 392.

CANDLELIGHTING BEFORE Nov 30 ✡ Dec 7 ✡

4:02 pm 4:00 pm

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26 Shalom Ottawa community TV show, on Rogers 22. 6:00 pm (repeats November 30 at 6:00 pm).

Chanukah Gift and Book Fair, sponsored by the SJCC, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Info: 613798-9818, ext. 243.

PJ Library Chanukah Party, co-sponsored with the Family Life Centre. For all families with young children, 10:00 am. Info: 613-7984644.

Montreal Yiddish Theatre Singers: a “freilach” afternoon of Broadway and Yiddish theatre selections, 2:00 pm. Info: 613-7989818, ext. 254.

Chocolate Chances 5: a Chinese and silent auction fundraiser for Torah Academy, 1119 Lazard Street, 7:00 pm. Info: 613-2740110.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28 Kinderblock 66: Return to Buchenwald film screening, part of Holocaust Education Month., Bytowne Cinema, 325 Rideau Street, 6:30 pm. Info: 613798-4696, ext. 253.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6 International Academic Panel Discusssion “Perspectives on Raoul Wallenberg”: Panellists include Professor Irving Abella and MP Irwin Cotler, moderated by Mario Silva, chair of the 2013 Task Force for International

TUESDAYS Israeli Folkdancing: No experience or partner necessary, Ottawa Jewish Community School, 881 Broadview Avenue, 6:30 pm.

Info: judy@ottawaisraelidance.ca.

WEDNESDAYS Drop-in Playgroup for parents and kids to romp and play and make new friends. For newborn to 3 years old, 9:00 to 11:00 am. Info: 613-798-9818, ext. 294.

For more community listings, visit ottawa.jewishottawa.com Select Calendar/Upcoming Events and Click to See More

Cooperation on Holocaust Education, Remembrance and Research. Canadian War Museum, 1 Vimy Place, 7:00 pm. Info: 613798-4696, ext. 253.

Information Meeting for trip to Holocaust Museum: The Asper Foundation Human Rights and Studies Program and the Jewish Federation of Ottawa invite students in grades 9 & 10 to learn about a trip to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington in April 2013. Open to all Jewish public and private school students, 7:00 pm. Info and RSVP: 613-798-4644.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8 Chanukah Party, Ottawa Reconstructionist Havurah, in Ottawa South. Magic show, dancing and sing-a-long. All are welcome, 5:30- 9:00 pm. Info: orhottawa@gmail.com Machzikei Movie Night will feature movies produced by the Simon Wiesenthal Center through

Moriah Films. “In Search of Peace 1948-67” features famous voices chronicling Israel’s first two decades, offering new insights on the origins of the Middle East conflict. Combining a rich tapestry of rare archival film and photos, it offers a unique global perspective on one of the seminal events in the history of the Jewish people. A moderated discussion will follow.

Congregation Machzikei Hadas, 2310 Virginia Drive, 7:00 pm. Info: 613-7377457.

Chanukah Family Concert, an evening of musical entertainment for the whole family, featuring Agudath’s Cantor Jeremy Burko. Congregation Agudath Israel, 1400 Coldrey Avenue, 7:30 pm. Info: 613-728-3501.

COMING SOON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18 Information Evening for Social Action Mission to Israel for Young Adults. No skills necessary to volunteer for worthy organizations and take part in Dragon Boat Festival in northern Israel, Ottawa’s partner region, 7:00 pm.

Trip takes place May 1-12, 2013.

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

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

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

Condolences Condolences are extended to the families of: Moses (Moe) Cardash Bess Fyman, New York (mother of Dr. Dale Fyman) Gloria Goldberg (née Goodman) George Vinokur, Toronto (brother of Louise Rachlis)

May their memory be a blessing always.

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

There is no charge.

For a listing in this column, please call 613-798-4696, ext. 274.

Voice mail is available.

BULLETIN DEADLINES

JEWISH MEMORIAL GARDENS

JANUARY 2 FOR JANUARY 21 JANUARY 16 FOR FEBRUARY 4 JANUARY 30 FOR FEBRUARY 18

Your one-stop resource centre for funeral planning 613-688-3530 www.jewishmemorialgardens.org

Would you like to advertise in the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin?

Contact Barry Silverman 613-798-4696, ext. 256 bsilverman@ottawajewishbulletin.com

ottawajewishbulletin.com

november 26, 2012

volume 77, no. 5

kislev 12, 5773

Page S2 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin celebrates 75 years – November 26, 2012

November 2012

November 26, 2012 Greetings from the Prime Minister

A PERSONAL MESSAGE FROM THE PREMIER I am delighted to extend my warmest greetings to the staff and readers of The Ottawa Jewish Bulletin (OJB) on the occasion of the publication’s 75th anniversary.

Established in 1937, the OJB has chronicled some of the most significant events in the life of the Jewish community in the region. Over the decades, the Bulletin has offered a unique perspective on issues of the day and engaged a loyal readership.

On this special anniversary, you may reflect on the important role the OJB has played in fostering fellowship in Ottawa’s vibrant Jewish community.

On behalf of the Government of Canada, I commend everyone involved in the production and distribution of the publication. Please accept my sincere congratulations as you celebrate this impressive publishing milestone and best wishes for continued success.

Sincerely,

On behalf of the Government of Ontario, I am very pleased to congratulate the staff of the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin on marking the publication’s 75th anniversary. I would also like to extend warm greetings to the Bulletin’s many readers on this special occasion.

Since 1937, the staff of the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin have dedicated themselves to reflecting the voice of Ottawa’s Jewish community. In offering its readership top-quality coverage of timely news and events, this fine publication has excelled in chronicling the stories that have shaped Ottawa’s Jewish community over the past 75 years. The Bulletin can take great pride in knowing that its exemplary work has fostered a strong community connection while providing readers with the information and insights they want and need.

As you celebrate a remarkable milestone — your 75th year of publication — please accept my renewed congratulations and my best wishes for much ongoing success.

The Rt. Hon. Stephen Harper, P.C., M.P. Prime Minister of Canada

Dalton McGuinty Premier

November 26th 2012

Le 26 novembre 2012

On behalf of Members of Ottawa City Council, it is my distinct pleasure to extend sincerest congratulations to the Editor, Michael Regenstreif, along with the staff, contributors and readers of the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin, in recognition of its 75th Anniversary serving Ȃ ȱ ȱ ¢ǯ

Au nom du ȱ ȱ ȂOttawaǰȱ Ȃ i Ȃ ȱ ȱ Ȃ ȱ mes plus sincères félicitations à Michael Regenstreif, rédacteur en ǰȱ ȱ Ȃ ¡ȱ ȱ ȱ ¡ȱ ȱ ȱ ȂOttawa Jewish Bulletin, publication au ȱ ȱ ȱ ·ȱ ȱ Ȃ ȱ ȱ Ȃ ȱ ȱŝśe anniversaire.

Since 1937, the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin has been instrumental in providing the most recent news stories, community events and information, as well as important opinion pieces of interest to our ¢Ȃ ȱ ȱ ǯ

Depuis 1937, ȂOttawa Jewish Bulletin joue un rôle important dans ce qui est de faire connaître Ȃ ·ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱintéressantes pour les membres de la communauté juive de notre ville et de les informer, notamment sur les activités de quartier.

I want also to take this opportunity to acknowledge the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin for its dedication and valuable contribution to Jewish life in our community.

As Head of Council, I am delighted to convey my best wishes to all those associated with the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin for most successful and very memorable 75th Anniversary celebration.

Sincerely,

Je tiens également à exprimer ma gratitude au personnel ȱ ȂOttawa Jewish Bulletin pour son dévouement et sa précieuse contribution à la vie ȱ ȱ ·ȱ ȱ Ȃ .

Dear Friends, Newspapers provide the nourishment that enables communities to grow and prosper. Over the last 75 years, the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin has played an important role enriching the vibrancy of the city’s Jewish Community and has allowed readers to celebrate common bonds.

In addition to fostering local ties, over the course of its history, the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin has linked Ottawa to the wider Diaspora and to Israel. From the horrors of World War II to the tumultuous events surrounding the birth of the Jewish State, the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin has kept people informed and connected. Today, it is a vital tool for community members to also learn about the richness of Israel’s thriving economy, colourful culture and diverse society.

On behalf of the State of Israel, I would like to wish Mazel Tov to the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin on its 75th anniversary.

Sincerely,

En tant que chef du Conseil, je suis ravi Ȃ ȱ ȱ ȱ ê ¡ȱ ȱ · ȱà toutes les personnes associées à ȂOttawa Jewish Bulletin, à qui je souhaite des souvenirs · ȱ¥ȱ Ȃ ȱ ȱ ȱ75e anniversaire.

Cordialement,

Jim Watson, Mayor/Maire

Miriam Ziv Ambassador of Israel to Canada

50 O’Connor St. Suite 1005 • Ottawa, Ontario KJP 6L2 • Tel (613) 567-6450 • Fax (613) 567-9878

November 26, 2012 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – Page S3

A Message from the Chair of the Jewish Federation of Ottawa Many milestone news events have impacted our local and global Jewish community over the last 75 years, and the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin has been there to cover them all!

Throughout its proud history, we have reported on the growth of our beloved community, from its humble beginnings in Lowertown Ottawa, through its evolution into a diverse and thriving community where more than 14,000 Jews now reside.

Bulletin stories have run the gamut from the birth of the State of Israel, to the rallying of the community’s support through the Second World War, to the growth and development of our community synagogues and Jewish schools, to building a new Jewish community campus in the city’s west end, the fulcrum to Jewish life in Ottawa.

Generations of Jews have enjoyed reading feature stories that touch on, and provide a chronology for, life in our local Jewish community, from our Missions to Israel, to the achievements of our members, to the births, deaths and other lifecycle events within our community. Community calendar listings continue to provide the breadth of what Ottawa’s Jewish community has to offer, as do the advertisements from businesses and professionals who both support and service our needs.

The Federation is proud of its unique role in helping the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin achieve this historic milestone. Throughout these 75 years, the Federation has guided the growth and development of the Bulletin – and will continue to provide such support – allowing the Bulletin to keep its readers informed about Jewish life in our community, as well as the exciting programming initiatives we fund here in Ottawa, in Israel and around the world.

On behalf of the Jewish Federation of Ottawa, it is my honour to say Mazal Tov to the staff of the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin, and its advertisers, on this auspicious occasion, and to wish you all a Yasher Koach. May this cherished community asset go from strength to strength in the years ahead.

Debbie Halton-Weiss Chair of the Jewish Federation of Ottawa

From the publisher of the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin The Ottawa Jewish Bulletin team has had tremendous fun celebrating our 75th anniversary this past year. It has given us a chance to look back on our community’s proud history and to see the impact our newspaper had on making our Jewish community special.

We hope you have enjoyed reading the old Bulletin excerpts and were able to reflect on how far we have come. The story of our community told in these old Bulletins is now available for all to see. Particular thanks go to the current staff of the Bulletin and all the people who worked for the paper over its 75-year history.

What makes the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin unique is its comprehensive coverage of our Jewish community. Every individual and organization can help contribute to its pages and be part of the telling of our story.

Those who have read the Bulletin for many years will see how it has changed as the community has grown and evolved. Today, we are planning more major changes to continue to meet the needs of our readership, including publishing more digital content.

No matter what changes are made, we will never forget our goal of being the primary source of telling our community story. We hope you will continue to join us as readers, subscribers, contributors and storytellers.

Mitchell Bellman, Publisher

50 BAYSWATER AVENUE OTTAWA, ONTARIO K1Y 2E9 Tel.: (613) 759-8383 • Fax: (613) 759-8448

Mazel Tov

Congratulations to the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin on 75 successful years in the business!

— From the Residents, Management and Staff of Revera – The Westwood

The Westwood

2370/2374 Carling Ave Ottawa

613-820-7333

Revera: Canadian owned for 50 years with more than 250 locations.

reveraliving.com

10997 10.12

Mazel Tov to the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin on its 75th Anniversary

Page S4 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin celebrates 75 years – November 26, 2012

1937

Editor’s message

By Michael Regenstreif Seventy-five years! The Ottawa Jewish Bulletin has now been telling the story of the Jewish community of Canada’s capital city for three-quarters of a century.

The Jewish Community Council of Ottawa/Vaad Ha’Ir, known since 2005 as the Jewish Federation of Ottawa, was founded in 1934.

In 1937, it began publishing the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin, “a community newspaper, owned by the community, and maintained (we hope) by the community … a coordinating, unifying medium of expression through which our various movements and organizations will be enabled to promulgate their activities and objectives.” The full SHALOM! statement from the very first Bulletin can be seen in the reprinted page to the left of this column.

Just as Ottawa’s Jewish community has grown and changed tremendously over the past 75 years, so, too, has the Bulletin. Today’s community is much bigger, and much more religiously, sociologically and politically diverse than it was back then.

And, as the community has developed and changed over the years, it has been reflected in the development of the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin.

In 1937, Ottawa’s Jewish community was traditional, almost exclusively Orthodox, and primarily of the merchant class. Now, our religious affiliations encompass the entire spectrum of Jewish religious movements and expression as well as all manner of professions and occupations.

But, despite all the changes in the community, and in the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin, over the past 75 years, our community newspaper has always remained faithful to that shalom statement published in our first issue on October 22, 1937.

And this is an exciting time in the Bulletin’s history.

The whole nature of publishing newspapers has changed rapidly over the past few

Michael Regenstreif years. In the coming months, we’ll be rolling out a redesigned print Bulletin and a dynamic online presence.

Mike Shahin writes more about the future of the Bulletin on page S8.

I’d like to acknowledge the never-ending hard work of my Bulletin colleagues Brenda Van Vliet, our production manager since 1995, and Barry Silverman, our business manager. Their contributions and input were invaluable to this special supplement, just as they are to every issue we publish.

I’ll also take this opportunity to say a big thank you to all who have helped us with this special supplement marking our 75th anniversary.

Archivists Laurie Dougherty and Emily Leonoff of the Ottawa Jewish Archives provided absolutely invaluable assistance as we researched our history. The reprinted articles from our past included throughout 2012 issues and in this special supplement come directly from the Archives.

Sylvie Bordeleau, the Federation’s graphic designer put together a great cover for us and Benita Baker did a superb job of summarizing 75 years of history in 3,000 words.

We’ve also benefitted greatly from the input of Francie Greenspoon, the Federation’s communications director and Mitchell Bellman, the Federation president and CEO who also acts as Bulletin publisher.

November 26, 2012 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin celebrates 75 years – Page S5

Page S6 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin celebrates 75 years – November 26, 2012

For 75 years, the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin has been ‘the thread that runs through the community and ties it together’

By Benita Baker Author’s note: This article was prepared with much assistance from archivist Emily Leonoff of the Ottawa Jewish Archives.

Declaring itself to be “a force for constructive communal consciousness,” the first issue of the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin was published 75 years ago on October 22, 1937.

“Ours is a community newspaper, owned by the community, and maintained (we hope) by the community,” managing editor Myer K. Epstein said in his welcoming statement.

The frequency, appearance, content and even the name of the Bulletin have changed in its lifetime – but what never changed was its steadfast pledge to be a com-

munity newspaper. For 75 years, the Bulletin has been published by the Ottawa Jewish Community Council/Vaad Ha’Ir – now the Jewish Federation of Ottawa – and has been the voice of Ottawa’s Jewish community, recording the events and opinions of the time. In doing so, it has preserved the history of the Ottawa Jewish community, providing a glimpse into the lifestyle and priorities of Ottawa’s Jews over the decades.

“We feel the Bulletin to be the answer to a crying need among Ottawa Jewry for a co-ordinating, unifying medium of expression through which our various movements and organizations will be enabled to promulgate their activities and objectives,” Epstein wrote in the

1937 inaugural edition. Accordingly, most of the paper’s content was announcements about community meetings and events.

The conclusion of Epstein’s welcoming statement explained the paper’s other fundamental raison d’être.

“Editorially, the Bulletin is uncompromisingly committed to the advancement of Torah-true Judaism, and to those values, exclusively, which will insure the dignity, the honour and the selfrespect of Jewry.”

As a result, every issue of the paper included a discussion of Jewish concerns as well as remarks from the rabbi. The first edition’s commentary, written by Rabbi William Margolis, Ottawa’s newly arrived community rabbi, set the tone.

“We who love Torah and Israel refuse to leave our principle to the selfish mercies of such primordials who call themselves modern,” Rabbi Margolis wrote, rebuking modern Jews for choosing to be less traditional. “We prefer to be oldfashioned, self-disciplined, self-sacrificing if necessary, for the faith of our fathers and the faithfulness of our children.”

Alarm about straying from traditional Judaism was a recurring Bulletin subject in the early decades. In the 1940s, the paper focused on such issues as how to keep people Jewish and questions like “Why aren’t women going to Saturday morning services anymore?” and “Are our children growing up less Jewish?”

Even the migration of Ottawa’s Jewish community westward was seen as a threat.

“We are dealing, indeed, with a neighbourhood that may yet prove the testing ground of our destiny in Ottawa Jewish life,” said an editorial in June 1945.

In January 1948, the Bulletin reprinted a scathing statement from Rabbi Yitzhak HaLevi Herzog, chief rabbi of British mandate Palestine, about a rumour that a Reform temple was to be organized in Dublin, Ireland. Describing Reform as “a malignant growth eating away at the very vitals of what is holiest and dearest to Israel,” Rabbi Herzog went on to call it “a back door way to total apostasy from Judaism.”

Eighteen years later, in

Benita Baker 1966, an editorial by Rabbi Simon Eckstein focused on the problem of assimilation in Ottawa, which he described as “a question of life and death.”

Rabbi Eckstein believed Ottawa Jews were embarrassed by their religion, hiding it for social and career reasons. He was particularly disapproving of Jews who, instead of living religiously, chose to express their Judaism through philanthropy, social outlets and supporting Israel.

“They do not realize that in the long run they are destroying the lasting essence which alone justifies and at the same time secures the survival of the Jewish community,” wrote Rabbi Eckstein.

(Continued on page S7)

Congregation

Machzikei Hadas We congratulate the Bulletin on reaching this milestone.

We look forward to celebrating more milestones with you as your publishing partner.

Performance Printing Limited printer of the

Ottawa Jewish Bulletin Call Barry Evans Tel. 613.791.3825

Wishes the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin Mazal Tov on 75 years of informing and connecting our community.

2310 Virginia Drive, Ottawa 613-521-9700 www.machzikeihadas.com

November 26, 2012 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin celebrates 75 years – Page S7

Community events chronicled in Bulletin for 75 years (Continued from page S6)

Also of significant concern in the early years was the more practical subject of how Jews could co-exist in a secular society. Included were articles about where to buy kosher food and a column in which a rabbi answered questions about kashrut sent in by readers. The September 5, 1945 edition reminded parents “to write the teachers of the public schools to excuse their children from the classes in religion. These classes are planned for instruction in Christianity, and all the rabbis in Ontario – Orthodox, Conservative and Reform – advise that Jewish boys and girls ought not attend them.”

Fundraising, always a community necessity, was a frequent Bulletin subject. The requests were not always subtle, however.

“Alas, there are, regrettably, numerous families who to date have not contributed at all, or if they did, very meagerly,” a 1946 commentary admonished. “Such, either have little understanding of the principles underlying a United Jewish Community Campaign or display an utter disregard for it.”

Shaming people into contributing was still a fundraising tactic in 1950, when the community was told that it was their “duty” to donate.

“Your contribution is not an act of charity but is a self-imposed tax, revealing the degree of your Jewish loyalty. … In the past, too few have carried the load while too many have not done their share.”

As the paper settled into its role as community voice, it adapted and matured along with the Ottawa Jewish community’s growing population. What started out in 1937 as a four-page publication mostly devoted to announcing community events gradually transformed into a bona fide 28- to 32-page newspaper that included commentary, interviews, columns, human interest articles and news.

When it was launched, the Bulletin was published every Friday, but frequency of publication has varied over the years. Currently 19 issues are published annually – twice monthly most months, but once a month in January, June, July, August and December.

Over the years, the Bulletin has had several different looks as the layout, typeface, masthead, ink colour, size, and number of pages has changed with the times. The first photos appeared in January 1938 and advertising arrived in the mid-1980s. In 2003, the paper went full colour, with every issue having several colour pages.

Of course, the Bulletin featured the community’s milestones, beginning with the death of Lillian Freiman in 1940, when an entire issue was dedicated to her.

The high esteem the community felt for community leaders A.J. and Lillian Freiman is immediately evident in the inaugural edition in 1937, where a paragraph is dedicated to their health and well-being.

“We give thanks to the Almighty for his

gracious loving kindness to Ottawa and to Jewry at large in having preserved the strength of Mrs. A.J. Freiman till this day …

May our good God grant her complete return to health so that her energies may continue to be happily directed for her own joy, for the benefit of her dear ones and of Klal Israel. …

To Mr. A.J. Freiman we extend our heartfelt good wishes that the injury he recently sustained may be speedily healed. Mr. Freiman’s disabled arm has not interrupted his ceaseless activity on behalf of the community.”

The growing excitement about building the Jewish Community Centre on Chapel Street begins in March 1946 with the announcement that land was purchased, followed by a two-page special construction insert in December 1949, and culminates in June 1951, when the JCC is completed.

The opening of Hillel Lodge on Wurtemburg Street in 1965 and the move to its brand new west end building in 2000; the purchase in 1983 of Hillel Academy’s new home at the former St. Joseph High School on Broadview Avenue; the founding of Tamir in 1980; the opening of Yitzhak Rabin High School in 1995; the launch in 1996 of the Our Dream Our Legacy capital campaign that resulted in the present-day Jewish Community Campus; the opening of the Soloway Jewish Community Centre in 1998; the amalgamation of synagogues and the founding of new ones; the 60th anniversary of the State of Israel; the 75th anniversary of the Jewish Federation of Ottawa. These are just a few of the historic community events chronicled in 75 years of Bulletin issues.

Since the beginning, the paper has always been mailed to local households. Later, snowbirds and relocated Ottawans were added to the circulation. For the first 43 years, Bulletin subscriptions were free of charge, although in January 1938, a notice implored readers to send $1 for a subscription.

“The success of this subscription campaign will insure the regular publication of the OJB!” In 1980, the rising cost of printing and postage required the paper, for the first time in its history, to begin charging out-of-towners a $10 subscription fee. With costs continuing to escalate, an attempt was made to reduce overhead by making the paper free only to members in good standing with UJA. Anyone who had not contributed to UJA had to pay $30 per year. Newcomers were given a free paper for six months.

Despite these efforts, the Bulletin was losing money. Fundamental changes were necessary in order for the newspaper to stay in print. Alyce Baker was hired as the paper’s first full-time business manager, with the primary responsibility of generating revenue through advertising. Although highly successful, it was still not enough to get the paper out of deficit.

(Continued on page S9)

Mazel Tov on the

75th Anniversary of the

Ottawa Jewish Bulletin

Page S8 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin celebrates 75 years – November 26, 2012

The Ottawa Jewish Bulletin prepares to re-launch for the future

By Mike Shahin Communications and Community Relations Committee Jewish Federation of Ottawa Seventy-five years ago, visionary members of Ottawa’s Jewish community ran the presses on the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin, a little newsletter that promised very big things.

“We feel the Bulletin to be the answer to a crying need among Ottawa Jewry for a coordinating, unifying medium of expression through which our various movements and organizations will be enabled to promulgate their activities and objectives,” the Jewish Community Council of Ottawa/Vaad Ha’Ir trumpeted in the inaugural, four-page issue in 1937.

Over time, the Council boldly predicted, the Bulletin would become “a force for constructive communal consciousness.”

And so it did. The Ottawa Jewish Bulletin has attained those goals and more over its three-quarters of a century of publication. But, as beloved as the newspaper is among many members of Ottawa’s Jewish community, it faces many challenges – not unlike those facing many news publications around the world: declining subscriptions, limited reach, reduced advertising revenues and increased competition.

The Jewish Federation of Ottawa, which publishes the Bulletin, recognized this and decided to take action. Late last year, the Federation asked its Communications and Community Relations Committee to probe the issue. Stephen Bindman, then-chair of the committee, asked me to lead an impressive and thoughtful group of community members tasked with drafting a plan to put the Bulletin on the path toward many more years of success.

The members of the Bulletin Review Group spent countless volunteer hours over many months wrestling with myriad issues and considering potential solutions. We surveyed readers, advertisers and non-subscribers of the Bulletin to see what worked and what was missing. More than 150 people responded to the survey and, though there was no shortage of constructive criticism (for which we were appreciative), the overriding message was that people in Ottawa are deeply passionate about, and feel ownership of, their community newspaper.

The Bulletin is, in a way, a hub from which spokes radiate out into the community, allowing the back-and-forth flow of information, discussion, entertainment, ideas and sometimes-difficult debate. So the challenge, in keeping with this metaphor for a

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moment, was: How can we keep the spokes true, keep the bearings greased and keep the wheel turning so the Bulletin will remain a vital part of people’s lives for generations to come?

Our answer came in the form of a 4,000word report called OJB: The Next 75 Years, a comprehensive review and set of recommendations that we believe is a blueprint for change and sustainable success. Here are the main areas we tackled: Readership – As long as the Federation continues to publish the Bulletin, the goal must be to reach as many Jews as possible in Ottawa. The main way to do this is to open the online door, whether through web access, page-turning software, mobile applications or social media.

Design and production – The objective here is to refresh and revitalize the look of the printed newspaper and its online iteration with a new masthead and a redesigned layout, not just to prettify the product, but to implement deeper changes aimed at reaching more readers and advertisers and giving the Bulletin more impact.

Editorial content – The aim is to continue to balance the Bulletin’s role as a communications tool for the Federation and its agencies with the community’s desire for it to deliver local news and a forum for discussion. Particular emphasis needs to be put on attracting younger readers without, of course, losing the aspects of the newspaper valued by long-time devotees.

Financial sustainability – Although the ability to communicate with Jews in Ottawa is priceless for the Federation, the Bulletin has largely been, and should continue to be, able to sustain itself financially. A stronger newspaper reaching more of the community should halt, and hopefully reverse, the downward trend in print subscriptions.

More readers, gained through online access, means increased advertising. New revenue sources will be explored. The goal is to break even, at least, and to build a surplus fund, if possible, to sustain the newspaper in case of tough times.

Visit jewishottawa.com to see the full report.

This summer, the Federation’s board of directors unanimously accepted the Bulletin Review Group’s report and hired David Berman Communications to execute the changes. There is perhaps no one better placed than David Berman to do this. He grew up flipping through the Bulletin on his parents’ coffee table. He is part of, and has a deep understanding of, Ottawa’s Jewish community, and he has world-renowned ex-

Mike Shahin pertise in using strategic design to solve communications challenges.

David promises this will be no cosmetic facelift. The “rethink,” as he called it, will be structural and deep, and, as a result will, we hope, outlast the latest fad or trend in technology or media. His work has already begun, through meetings over the past month with Bulletin staff, Federation managers and leaders of the agencies that so depend on the newspaper to communicate their messages to the community.

David is taking our recommendations and going even further, promising to use new tools to make the Bulletin accessible to people who may not have previously been able to read it, and to help the newspaper staff, and the Federation overall, “strengthen their ability to do great things.”

Serendipitously, David’s very first meeting for this project took place October 22, the exact day the inaugural issue of the Bulletin was published 75 years ago.

It’s an auspicious beginning. We invite you to keep reading the Bulletin as the changes roll out over the next five months and as we work to honour the promise of making our community’s newspaper a force for constructive communal consciousness.

The Bulletin belongs, after all, to you.

“The Ottawa Jewish Bulletin is not … the personal project of an enterprising individual who will seek out of it financial or political profit,” the Council promised in 1937. “Ours is a community newspaper, owned by the community, and maintained (we hope) by the community.”

Mike Shahin is a member of the Jewish Federation of Ottawa Board and chair of the Communications and Community Relations Committee.

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

November 26, 2012 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin celebrates 75 years – Page S9

Lively columns among Bulletin’s most popular features (Continued from page S7)

In the early-1990s, in order to qualify for reduced postage rates and government funding for publications, the paper incorporated and became a private company called the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin Publishing Company, Limited. At the same time and after much debate, it was decided the Bulletin would become subscription-based with two or three community-wide issues sent out each year. At first, local subscriptions were set at $18 annually and rose to $30 by 1998. Remarkably, despite dramatically rising costs, the price has not been raised in almost 15 years.

Twelve editors have been at the helm of the Bulletin over its 75year history. Until the early-1970s, community rabbis, beginning with Rabbi Margolis, then Rabbi Oscar Fasman and Rabbi Eckstein, acted as the Bulletin editors. One of the many tasks taken on by Hy Hochberg during his 39 years at the helm of the Ottawa Jewish Community Council/Vaad Ha’Ir was to act as editor for a short time. In 1974, Joseph Peimer was hired as the Bulletin’s first professional editor.

Gaye Applebaum took over the

paper in 1976. Production had become erratic and one of her main responsibilities was to bring the newspaper to a regular schedule.

“It was fun being editor,” Applebaum said in a recent interview.

“I was at the centre of everything that happened in the community because it all got filtered through the paper.”

During Applebaum’s tenure, the paper began to include more indepth articles, thus beginning the Bulletin’s evolution to becoming more of a real newspaper.

The focus remained primarily on local news. In one instance, Applebaum wanted to include an article about the U.S. Congress passing a resolution honouring the birthday of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the Lubavitcher rebbe. Hochberg did not want to run the story because it had no local connection. But Applebaum stood her ground and the story was printed.

Nancy Zalman became editor in 1978 and Jeff Bien followed her in 1979.

Cynthia Engel was appointed editor in 1980 and she held the position for 12 years, earning her the distinction of being the longest-

serving Bulletin editor. She has continued contributing to the Bulletin to this day.

Before computerization, in addition to collecting and editing the news, an editor’s most laborious task in putting out a regular newspaper was its design and layout – spreading out over a boardroom table, cutting and pasting articles into place before sending it off to the printer.

This process of physically creating a newspaper is one of Engel’s vivid memories of her time as editor. Several times per week, she would drive to the Ottawa bus terminal – sometimes through snow storms, sometimes in her nightgown with a coat over top – to put copy on the bus for the printer in Smith Falls, who would then send back galleys. These she cut and pasted into place, and returned to the printer (requiring another trip to the bus station).

The paper was then published twice a month. So, every two weeks, she would drive to Smith Falls to oversee the layout process before it went to press. Nothing could interfere with the production schedule. Immediately after the last guest left her home after her

twin sons’ bar mitzvah brunch, she cleaned off the dining room table and began laying out the next edition.

“It was nuts,” she said, reminiscing about her years as editor in an interview for this story. “It became your life, but it was a labour of love. I loved it like I loved my children.”

Engel’s passion for the Bulletin did not go unnoticed. In 1990, the paper received an award for excellence in public relations from the Council of Jewish Federations.

Engel’s homespun editorials became one of the paper’s most popular items because of their warm and humorous commentary on Jewish life. In addition to the rab-

binic commentary, then called View from the Pulpit, Engel introduced a variety of new columns to the paper’s content. The lively columns sections continue to be among the Bulletin’s most popular – and, occasionally, infuriating – features.

Hochberg continued to be directly involved with the paper until his death in 1985, working with Engel on every issue.

“He was like a father who, after running a business for several years, brings his child in to take over, but can’t let go,” Engel said.

“The paper was his pride and joy.”

Asked how she left her mark on the Bulletin, Engel said editing the (Continued on page S10)

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Page S10 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin celebrates 75 years – November 26, 2012

Bulletin reflects the diverse views of the community (Continued from page S9)

newspaper was a high point of her life.

“I’d like to think the fact that I so enjoyed doing it was evident in each issue.”

When Engel resigned in 1992, Myra Aronson, a member of the Bulletin Committee, volunteered to act as interim editor until a replacement could be hired.

She stayed in the position for nine years.

“When I told Cindy of my intentions, she laughed and said, ‘you’ll be here for years,’” Aronson told the

Bulletin. “Of course, she was right.”

Aronson continued to transform the newspaper into a broader, more comprehensive source of information. There was no budget for a wire service subscription, so the news remained local and self-generated.

“I often heard complaints that the Bulletin always profiled the same people – those who ran the community,” Aronson recalled. “Although that was justifiable – after all the people in leadership positions should be ac-

knowledged – I saw this as an opportunity to expand the scope of the Bulletin by profiling local personalities and unsung heroes.”

Aronson expanded local coverage and the scope of the columns and began assigning human interest stories to local freelance writers. Some of these became limited series: Focus on Women by various contributors; These Were the Days

by Elliott Gluck; A Look Back by Mac Lipson; Nazi War Criminals in Canada

by Arnold Fradkin; Parent

Line by Jeff Sherman; Growing Up in a Small Town by Elliot Marshall; and Ottawa’s Jewish Immigrants by Albert Rivers.

Along with the creative content changes, the paper was redesigned several times over the years to give it a fresh modern look. In 1974, the Bulletin merged with the Ottawa Jewish Digest and Review, a publication of Young Israel of Ottawa, and was renamed the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin and Review. In 1993, the paper reverted to its original name.

1977

Probably the most innovative change affecting the Bulletin during Aronson’s tenure was the arrival, in 1995, of computerized layout and in-house design of ads. Along with the updated technology came Brenda Van Vliet, the Bulletin’s first production manager, who remains in the job to this day.

The transition from cutand-paste to computerized layout was a costly yet essential undertaking. When the equipment arrived, it was installed in the newspaper office in the old JCC building on Chapel Street. Van Vliet recalls putting the first in-house production of the paper to bed on a Friday afternoon only to return on Monday morning to discover some of the computer equipment had been stolen over the weekend.

Barry Fishman signed on as editor in 2001. In his first editor’s column, Fishman described the Bulletin as “the Jewish community in Ottawa” because it was the place where the community came together. He pledged to continue “this proud tradition of community.”

Fishman’s vision of community was far from insular.

His community was intelligent, informed and openminded and so he further broadened the Bulletin’s scope. Now able to take advantage of a subscription to JTA – Jewish Telegraphic Service, the wire service used by most Jewish community newspapers in the Diaspora – he included more stories about Israel and the wider Jewish community around the world.

During his seven years at the helm, Fishman published articles that provided an outlook never before seen in the Bulletin. These included: Terezin through Children’s Eyes; Jewish Perspectives on In-Vitro Fertilization; Disappearing Jewish Communities in Small Town Canada; Rise of Anti-Semitism in Britain; and Ottawa Jews and Arabs: Common Ground.

Fishman’s editor’s columns were often political and sometimes controversial, tackling subjects like

suicide bombers, media bias against Israel, connecting Ottawa Jewish youth to Israel, and showing respect to veterans.

“What I am most proud of is opening the paper to diverse voices in the Jewish community,” Fishman said in an interview with the Canadian Jewish News in 2008 after stepping down from the newspaper due to the debilitating effects of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Fishman passed away in 2009 and the Barry Fishman Ottawa Jewish Bulletin Scholarship Fund was established in his memory to support an annual summer internship at the Bulletin for a young journalist.

Michael Regenstreif, editor since 2008, began his tenure at the Bulletin in 2007 as assistant editor for a transitional period in the summer and fall of 2007 working closely with Fishman as he fought ALS. At the helm of the Bulletin for almost five years, Regenstreif has remained faithful to Fishman’s vision for the newspaper, adding some national and international stories to the primarily local content, while enhancing the cultural content with art, music and theatre items.

“The Bulletin has continued to evolve as a news organ and a forum for the community to discuss issues of concern,” Regenstreif said. “It should reflect the full range of diversity of views in the community.”

Although today’s newspaper bears little resemblance to the first issue off the press 75 years ago, the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin has always been a vital part of a growing and thriving community since it came onto the scene in 1937. It is, and always has been, the source of what is going on in the Jewish community and an outlet for community issues.

Former editor Cynthia Engel aptly described the Bulletin as “the thread that runs through the community and ties it together.”

The founders would be proud.

November 26, 2012 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin celebrates 75 years – Page S11 Plant A Tree For All Reasons

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

Jewish National Fund of Ottawa

ottawa jewish

2006 bulletin

TEL: (613) 798-2411 FAX: (613) 798-0462

Festival conundrum page 7

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

jul 24, 2006

•

volume 70, no. 16

21 Nadolny Sachs Private, Ottawa, Ontario K2A 1R9

•

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tammuz 28, 5766

Editor: Barry Fishman

$2.00

‘Free Gilad Shalit’ rally in Ottawa

Rabbi Reuven Bulka leads the crowd in demanding the release of Gilad Shalit in front of the Syrian Embassy in downtown Ottawa.

(Photo: Peter Waiser)

Over 200 people attended a rally to free Hamas-held Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. The rally was one of many held in capital cities around the world to pressure Syria into influencing Hamas to free the kidnapped soldier. ... SEE STORY ON PAGE 2.

(OJB photo: Barry Fishman)

TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO CELEBRATE ACHIEVEMENTS Congratulations to Ottawa Jewish Bulletin celebrating 75 years in the community.

Life’s brighter under the sun

Mazal Tov to the Bulletin on your 75th anniversary

Diane Koven BA (Hons) CFP® CDFA CHS

613-728-1223 ext 2235 diane.koven@sunlife.com 600 - 1525 Carling Avenue Ottawa, ON K1Z 8R9 Mutual funds offered by Sun Life Financial Investment Services (Canada) Inc. © Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada, 2012.

1946

Page S12 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin celebrates 75 years – November 26, 2012

November 26, 2012 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin celebrates 75 years – Page S13

Wishing the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin a Hearty Mazal Tov on 75 years of publishing

O t t a w a ’s O l d e s t S h o p p i n g C e n t r e

Visit www.keithegli.ca for information on issues and upcoming events at City Hall and in the ward.

These days, staying in business might seem like a thing of the past.

Yet, for 75 years, the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin has been here to bring home events of the Jewish community.

Westgate Shopping Centre is proud to be Ottawa’s oldest shopping centre serving the community for over 57 years.

We say “Mazal Tov” to the Bulletin on 75 years and look forward to the future.

1309 Carling Avenue

B C Bob Chiarelli, hia arelli, MPP/Député MPP/Député Ottawa O ttawa W West-Nepean/Ottawa-Ouest-Nepean est-Nepean/Ottawa-Ou O est-Ne

Congratu Congratulations t lations to to the the Ottawa O ttawa Jewish Jewish Bulletin Bul u letin for for Community 7755 years years iinn tthe he C ommunity 613-721-8075 | bchiarelli.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org 613-721-8075 bchiarelli.mpp.co@liberal.ola.or www.bobchiarelli.onmpp.ca w w w.bobchiarelli.onmpp.ca ff:: Bob Bob Chiarelli Chiarelli | t: t: @Bob_Chiarelli @Bob_Chiarelli

Page S14 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin celebrates 75 years – November 26, 2012

Temple Israel An egalitarian Reform congregation Where 21st Century Jewish Souls Journey Together

History starts with the creation of words and language.

Mazel Tov to the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin, which has chronicled our beloved community.

Rabbi Steve H. Garten 1301 Prince of Wales Drive, Ottawa, ON K2C 1N2 Tel: 613-224-1802 Fax: 613-224-0707 www.templeisraelottawa.com

THE OTTAWA JEWISH BULLETIN owned and published by The Ottawa Jewish Bulletin Publishing Co. Ltd. 151 Chapel Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 7Y2 © Entire contents copyrighted March 10, 1997 Publication Mail Registration No. Pending approval

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Bulletin VOLUME 61, NUMBER 10

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Community Capital Campaign hits target Mini-campaign scheduled to meet total community needs

By Cynthia Nyman Engel

The Ottawa Jewish Community has raised a stunning $15-plus million toward relocating and revitalizing community facilities, according to an announcement by Capital Campaign Chair Roger Greenberg.

“The Capital Campaign has been an overwhelming success,” a delighted Greenberg said. “The entire community pulled together and rallied behind the effort.

“The next few years will see the Broadview Campus come to life with a renovated school building, a state-of-the-art Jewish Community Centre and, subject to government approval, a brand new Hillel Lodge.”

In 1995, fundraising consultant Milton Shorr recommended the Capital Campaign target of $13 million based on the results of his feasibility study.

Happily, that goal has been surpassed.

Although the campaign was structured around that number, everyone recognized that $13 million was not sufficient to fulfil the community needs.

Greenberg confirmed this saying, “From day one, we knew that the entire project would require us to raise $18 to $20 million.

This need was reconfirmed in the budget for the whole Campus project submitted to a meeting of the Vaad Board of Trustees on February 5. Fortunately there is a means of achieving this goal.”

At the same time, Greenberg announced that a mini-campaign will be launched in April when a group of 50 canvassers will reconvene to complete the communitywide campaign and raise the remaining $2,500,000 by the end of May. “Due to the limited time frame of the Capital Campaign, a great many people in the community were missed,” he said. “The UJA annual campaign was in full swing and

we could not complete our canvasses. Simply, we ran out of time and 300-400 families were not canvassed. We are indeed grateful that several of these people have come forward to pledge of their own accord.

“We want to make absolutely certain that everyone has had the opportunity of participating in this vital community venture.

“A successful mini-campaign will give us the opportunity to reach these families and raise the $2,500,000 which will really put us over the top,” Greenberg said. “And, if the trustees approve the budget at their March 18 meeting, this summer we’ll be breaking ground for the new JCC.” The Board of Trustees has already given its approval to provide capital funding for Tamir Foundation to purchase a home directly across from the campus on Broadview Avenue and operate a day program on the new campus.

The cost of purchasing and renovating

the home will be shared by the provincial government, the Vaad Ha’Ir and Tamir.

Tamir will continue to operate its existing homes in Ottawa. The people who will move into the Broadview home currently reside in an institution in Smiths Falls. In effect, Tamir will be enabling those Jews with developmental disabilities to move back into the community.

On the Hillel Lodge front, the community received positive feedback from the Ontario government to its Integrated Senior Services Plan. Hillel Lodge is currently working with a consultant to put the final touches on its Functional Plan.

Hopes are high that the latter will meet fully with government approval, ensuring that the new Hillel Lodge facility is on its way.

“This community is looking to the 21st century with shining eyes, a song in our hearts and everything in place,” Roger Greenberg said.

1997

November 26, 2012 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin celebrates 75 years – Page S15

Page S16 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin celebrates 75 years – November 26, 2012

The Ottawa Jewish Historical Society extends a hearty

Yasher Koach and Mazel Tov to the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin for reaching an historic milestone, 75 years of publishing.

Our important and joint ongoing work with the Ottawa Jewish Archives and the Bulletin includes the digitization of all issues since 1937, thus facilitating research of Ottawa's Jewish community.

For more information: www.ottawajewishhistorical.ca

613-244-8291

Mazal Tov to the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin for supporting and reporting on the Ottawa Jewish Community over the last 75 years.

Thanks for covering OJCS. At OJCS, we encourage Respect, Responsibility and Reaching for Excellence.

1980

November 26, 2012 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin celebrates 75 years – Page S17

Merovitz Potechin LLP LAW OFFICE

INFORMED • INVOLVED • INSIGHTFUL

Congratulations to the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin on 75 years of covering our community.

Mazel Tov on 75 Years of Success!

_______________________________________ 750-55 Metcalfe Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1P 6L5

Contact Information: 301-200 Catherine Street Ottawa, ON K2P 2K9

Tel: 613-563-7544 Email: mplaw@mpottawa.com Website: www.merovitzpotechin.com

t. 613-237-4000 ~ www.brazeauseller.com t. 613-237-5000 ~ www.YegendorfLawFirm.ca t: 613-569-7002 ~ www.wylliespears.com t. 613-569-7001 ~ www.equitasconsultants.com

1953

Page S18 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin celebrates 75 years – November 26, 2012

♥

1967

November 26, 2012 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin celebrates 75 years – Page S19

You were there for us from the beginning When Hillel Lodge was founded in 1955, The Ottawa Jewish Bulletin had already been around for 18 years. And over the following half-century of milestones and accomplishments, you were always there for us.

You were there ...

In 1957, when we received our letters-patent from the province of Ontario; In 1965, when we opened the first 29-bed Hillel Lodge on Wurtemberg Street; In 1972 and 1975, when major additions were made to the Wurtemberg Home; In 1998, when the province approved construction of a new 100-bed Home, and the organization was renamed The Bess and Moe Greenberg Family Hillel Lodge; In 2000, when the brand-new, 100-bed Joseph and Inez Zelikovitz Long-Term Care Centre opened on the Jewish Community Campus; In 2005, when we celebrated Hillel Lodge’s 50th anniversary; In 2011, when the new 21-bed Joseph and Inez Zelikovitz Pavillion opened its doors.

We look forward to sharing a wonderful future together!

Page S20 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin celebrates 75 years – November 26, 2012

Here to help your private company grow It’s often said that private companies are the engine that powers Canada’s economy. Private companies are responsible for creating wealth and jobs, investing in our community and generating the innovation and renewal that are essential to keeping Canada prosperous.

We’re proud to wish the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin a very happy 75th anniversary!

At Ernst & Young, we’re big believers in the power of private companies. We’ve advised and supported them for generations, in Ottawa and across Canada.

O`]l`]j qgmÌj] Yl l`] Z]_affaf_ g^ qgmj bgmjf]q$ Õf\ qgmjk]d^ Yl Y [jgkkjgY\k or simply want to maintain the right direction for growth, our local team understands the unique issues entrepreneurs face, and offers the knowledge, experience and multidisciplinary approach to support you throughout the entire lifecycle of your business, including the following: 9\na[] Yf\ kmhhgjl l`jgm_` l`] ]flaj] j]Yd ]klYl] afn]kle]fl [q[d] H]jkgfYd o]Ydl`$ [gjhgjYl] hjgÕl hj]k]jnYlagf Yf\ lYp%]^Õ[a]fl ownership structures :mkaf]kk _jgol` Yf\ ÕfYf[af_$ o`]l`]j gj_Yfa[ gj l`jgm_` Y[imakalagfk

Ian M. Sherman, FCA

Km[[]kkagf hdYffaf_ ^gj l`] ^Yeadq Zmkaf]kk We’re committed to supporting private companies, and I would be pleased to get the discussion started. Let’s explore how we can help you achieve the potential of your enterprise. Contact me today.

Partner Tax Market Leader, Private Company Leader Ernst & Young LLP 613 598 4335 | ian.m.sherman@ca.ey.com

You can also follow us on Twitter @EYCanada and visit us at ey.com/ca.

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