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Knowledgeable, Approachable ... it DOES make a difference! PLANT A TREE March of the Living Jennifer Hartman Sales Representative FOR ALL OCCASIONS 613-882-7180 Students Rachel Kardish and Joshua Kofsky [email protected] TREES $18 | TREE BANK $150 FOR 10 TREES [email protected] refl ect on their life-changing experiences 613-798-2411 in Poland and Israel > p. 11 jenniferhartman.ca Ottawa Jewish Bulletin JUNE 30, 2014 | 2 TAMMUZ 5774 ESTABLISHED 1937 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM | $2 Federation AGM: Community expresses solidarity following kidnappings of Israeli teens BY MONIQUE ELLIOT ongoing support and solidarity. sport,” said Federation Chair Steven service awards. The Jewish Federation of Ottawa unveiled After the meeting, many in the crowd Kimmel. It is a sign of a “healthy, evolving Mitchell Bellman, the former its fi ve-year strategic plan for 2014 to held up signs displaying the hashtag community” when members decide to Federation president and CEO, was 2019, celebrated the achievements of #BringBackOurBoys as photos were taken embrace change and take on leadership presented with the Gilbert Greenberg volunteers and lay leaders, and honoured to contribute to the international social roles. Distinguished Service Award, the highest three deserving award recipients at its media campaign on behalf of the three Leadership was also addressed in an tribute offered by Ottawa’s Jewish 80th annual general meeting, June 18, at Israeli teens. inspiring D’var Torah delivered by Rabbi community. the Soloway Jewish Community Centre. Federation vice-chair Linda Kerzner – Yehuda Simes and in comments by Over the course of his career at the The meeting began on a solemn note as who chaired the board committee that Federation President and CEO Andrea Federation, Bellman said many commun- Rabbi Barry Schlesinger of Agudath Israel developed the strategic plan – gave a Freedman. ity members repeatedly told him they Congregation led the assembly in prayer presentation outlining the process and The only way to become a more vibrant would never want his job as CEO, think- for the quick and safe return of Gilad major highlights of the fi ve-year plan. Jewish community is if more people ing it was thankless and diffi cult. Shaar, Naftali Frenkel and Eyal Yifrach, (See the article on page 9 for detailed actively participate, said Freedman, “The truth of the matter is, I love the three Israeli teens abducted the week information on the strategic plan.) noting that attracting and developing serving the Jewish community,” Bellman before in the West Bank. As Kerzner noted, the strategic plan new volunteers and leaders is one of the said. “I love seeing the magic of what our Israeli Ambassador Rafael Barak also was about inclusivity and building goals of the new strategic plan. collective actions can accomplish. I love expressed Israel’s concern for the kid- community, a theme that echoed A high point of the meeting came when helping people get the most out of their napped yeshiva students and thanked throughout the evening. Federation past-chair Debbie Halton- experiences.” Ottawa’s Jewish community for its “Building community is not a spectator Weiss presented the three community See AGM on page 2 PHOTO: HOWARD SANDLER Community members and dignitaries including Israeli Ambassador Rafael Barak attending the Federation AGM express their desire for the quick and safe return of the three Israeli teens kidnapped earlier this month. Michael Regenstreif Am Echad Walk/Run supports ‘Canada’s rabbi’ honoured > p. 5 inside: on Ottawa City Hall exhibit > p. 7 Ottawa’s Jewish schools > p. 12 World Class Outsourcing ... and more! 613-744-6444 613-244-7225 Providing quality service 613-744-5767 613-244-4444 to the National Capital Region Publication Mail Agreement No. 40018822 since 1947! www.boydgroup.on.ca 2 June 30, 2014 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM AGM: Many volunteers ‘make extraordinary contributions’ Continued from page 1 teerism and community leadership of Henry Molot received the Shem Tov someone under the age of 40. Community Volunteer Award, which Receiving the award “is an incredible recognizes an outstanding and active honour,” said Fathi. “It is so much a part community volunteer who, through of who I am and something I just love to many years of service, has contributed do.” to the enrichment of Jewish life in Fathi said she fi nally realized how Ottawa. much volunteering in the community Molot was recognized for his many truly means to her when she was asked years of engagement, service and leader- about her extensive volunteer experience ship within a diverse range of activities, when she was interviewing for her organizations and community agencies. “dream job” at Export Development While he never sought recognition for his Canada, where she now works. actions, Molot warrants it, said Halton- “I am a product of my environment,” Weiss. said Fathi, who attributed her love of Molot said he was surprised when he volunteerism to the examples set by her got the call and learned he would receive parents. the award this year. As recipient of the Freiman Family “It’s not false modesty on my part to Young Leadership Award, Fathi also recognize how many very active and received the Lawrence Greenberg Young deserving volunteers there are in the Leadership Development Award, which Jewish community, who make extra- will allow her to attend the General ordinary contributions to not only within Assembly of the Jewish Federations of the Jewish community, but also the North America (GA) where she will join other young leaders from across North PHOTO: HOWARD SANDLER- Ottawa community-at-large,” he said. Mitchell Bellman (left) receives the Gilbert Greenberg Distinguished Service Award from Robert Tamara Fathi received the Freiman America in being honoured. Greenberg, June 19, at the Federation AGM. Family Young Leadership Award, which This year’s GA will be in Washington, annually recognizes outstanding volun- D.C. from November 9 to 11. PHOTO: HOWARD SANDLER- Tamara Fathi receives the Lawrence Greenberg Young Leadership Development Award from PHOTO: HOWARD SANDLER- Henry Molot receives the Shem Tov Community Volunteer Award from Debbie Halton-Weiss, Debbie Halton-Weiss, June 19, at the Federation AGM. Fathi was also the recipient of the June 19, at the Federation AGM. Freiman Family Young Leadership Award. BULLETIN INDEX CANDLE LIGHTING BEFORE BULLETIN DEADLINES BOOK REVIEW 38 FOUNDATION AGM 18 MAILBAG 8 JUL 4 8:33 PM AUG 1 8:10 PM JULY 9 FOR JULY 28 COMMENTARIES 6, 7 FOUNDATION 29 to 33 MY ISRAEL 37 JUL 11 8:26 PM AUG 8 8:00 PM AUGUST 6 FOR AUGUST 25 CONNECTING BRANCHES 37 GUEST COLUMN 35 VALUES, ETHICS 36 JUL 18 8:25 PM AUG 15 7:49 PM AUGUST 20 FOR SEPTEMBER 8 FOCUS ON FITNESS 36 HULSE-OJCS PEN PALS 13 WHAT’S GOING ON 39 JUL 25 8:18 PM AUG 22 7:38 PM AUGUST 27 FOR SEPTEMBER 22 Athens Rugs Ltd. HIGH QUALITY FLOORING Carpet Hardwood Ceramic Laminate Cork Vinyl 1365 Cyrville Road 613-741-4261 E-mail: [email protected] www.athensrugs.com Elaine & Frank Goldstein www.cactustzimmer.com Since 1975 e: [email protected] June 30, 2014 3 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM 4 June 30, 2014 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM fences in dire need of repair and a coat of yet been placed on each grave was a cause Cemetery offi cials cleaning up paint. for concern among some wishing to pay “We are aware of this and are working their respects at the graves that had been on this. We are very unhappy with the missed. Jewish Memorial Gardens situation, ourselves, and … we will not Freedman said the graves that had stop our efforts until the grounds are been regrettably missed by the original amid community complaints back in shape,” Freedman said. deadline of Father’s Day have now been Both the Bank Street and Greely- taken care of. BY MONIQUE ELLIOT complaints about the general appearance Osgoode locations had been impacted, The temporary contractor may become Cemetery offi cials say they are aware of of the cemeteries for several with Bank Street requiring greater permanent, and the board is exploring all community complaints about the weeks and at fi rst worked with the upkeep. Kardish said he had been seeing options, Freedman said, anticipating a worsening conditions at both Jewish contractor to resolve the issues, a decline in cemetery upkeep as far back resolution by late-June with community Memorial Gardens locations and have Freedman said. The contractor quit as 2009. announcements to follow. hired a temporary contractor to clean up in mid-June. Freedman said the board worked The Bank Street location is slated to both sites. David Kardish said he and his wife around the clock to get the grounds get a “major facelift” starting in spring “We have struggled for several years usually go to the Bank Street cemetery back up to their proper service levels, 2015. Some old trees will be removed and now to get the service levels of our every Mother’s Day and Father’s Day to which includes the temporary con- all of the roads leading into the cemetery maintenance to as high as possible a visit the graves of their parents. tractor that has already been working will be improved. A new road will run level, and we had a breakdown in service “We’re very upset because we found it on-site. along the back of the cemetery to allow levels this year due to problems we had to be very disrespectful; not only for our The work was completed at both people to drive in and park on the with our third-party contractor,” said parents, but for people we didn’t know,” locations by the week after Father’s Day, grounds.