Adar/Nisan/Iyar 5772 Vol. 22. No. 4 March/April 2012 Website: www.saskatoon.uscjhost.net

THE BULLETIN

Congregation Agudas Israel 715 McKinnon Ave, Saskatoon S7H 2G2 (306) 343-7023 Fax: (306) 343-1244 Hazzan Neil Schwartz President: Heather Fenyes

Monday, May 7th, 2012 TCU Place With celebrity speaker Shannon Tweed Tickets go on sale Monday, March 12th at 5:30 p.m.at the Sheraton Cavalier or purchase them on-line at [email protected] Ticket price $175 - Please make cheques payable to Silver Spoon Dinner For more information call Robin Sasko at 653-0528 ...more on page 10 $5.00 member $10.00 non-members Supported by grants from the Seymour Buckwold Cultural Fund and CIJA

Saskatoon Holocaust Memorial 2012 Sunday, April 22nd 1:30 pm Sanctuary, Jewish Community Centre Keynote Speaker: Elly Gotz Returning to Dachau after 65 Years More on Elly Gotz on page 13

This page is sponsored by Dr. Lou and Mrs. Ruth Horlick This page is sponsored by Naomi Rose and Stan Sinai of Toronto. Deadline for the next Bulletin is April 15, 2012 by Jay Weiner USCJ There is one axiom discovered the truth to the axiom………his that always seems to daughters spent several years at BB camp with be true; it is a small my son in law, Steve Shafir, and are current Jewish world! I had Facebook friends……ahhh a small Jewish the pleasure of visiting Saskatoon for the first world. That is the power of our Jewish tradi- time on February 1st. Other than three days tion, we are all connected. spent with Hazzan Schwartz several years I am your United Synagogue Kehilla Re- Ron and Jan Gitlin - Chairs of Holocaust Memorial ago and a phone/computer connection with lationship manager, a title that needs some Committee receiving Gold Medal from Jay Weiner your President, I had no other acquaintances explanation. I have been working for United in Saskatchewan, 2300 kilometers from my Synagogue for 17 years. While my work home in Leawood, Kansas. Included in my remained consistent, my title has changed sev- visit was the honor of presenting on behalf of eral times. I have been Pinwheel youth direc- United Synagogue, two Solomon Schechter tor, Pacific Northwest and Northern California Gold awards for synagogue excellence. One executive director, Mid-Continent executive of the awards was for your Bulletin and was director, Central District assistant director and presented to Steven Goluboff. I met Steven now I am a KRM. Why the current change? for the first time at the award ceremony; The new USCJ strategic plan calls for us to we started schmoozing; and of course we see our congregations as ‘kehillot.’ A kehilla is a sacred community, a group of people who have come together with shared Cantor Neil performing with David purpose and in fellowship. Kehilla is the sin- Kaplan at United Synagogue Awards gular, kehillot the plural. evening Jewish life happens in community. United Synagogue is dedicated to strengthening and Steven Goluboff - Editor and Heather Fenyes - President transforming the leaders of sacred communi- receiving Gold Medal for Bulletins from United Synagogue’s ties – kehillot – so they can transform those Kehilla Relationship Manager, Jay Weiner kehillot. We use the term kehilla to go beyond the Identifying areas of challenge and connecting traditional understanding of a synagogue. It each kehilla with the appropriate resources; can be whatever like-minded community- Serving as liaison between your kehilla and seeking Jews form when they come together United Synagogue. Translated, my job is to to search for meaning in their lives. get to know you, give you the opportunity to Thus my role involves maintaining consist- know me and make this a small Jewish world. ent contact with each kehilla and building re- I look forward to being a partner with your lationships with lay and professional leaders; community as you grow into the future.

The BC Cancer Foundation is forging a collaboration between The Institute For Medical Research Israel-Canada (IMRIC) and the BC Cancer Agency.

With your support, top medical researchers from BC and Israel will work together to find ways to detect breast cancer earlier. You can support this partnership by attending our Gala Event on April 22, 2012 sponsored by the Friends of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, honouring the scientific work of Dr. Karen Gelmon, a graduate of the U. of S. Medical School and the Congregation Agudas Israel Hebrew School.

This page is sponsored by Dr. Syd z'l & Miriam Gelmon of Vancouver 2 Editorial FROM OUR CONGREGATIONAL FAMILY by Steven Goluboff The Mission Statement of Congregation Agudas Israel Congregation Agudas Israel is a spiritual, religious, educational and social home committed We have just entered to deepening the quality of Jewish life in Saskatoon and district. We are an evolving link in a year of exciting op- the historical traditions of the Jewish people. We are a progressive, democratic and sensitive portunities, accomplish- congregation responding to the widest spectrum of Jewish thought and practice. ments and impending Written at the 2002 Kallah by the members of Congregation Agudas Israel changes for our congre- gation. As is the reality of the times we live in, FROM YOUR CONGREGATIONAL FAMILY we have responded to MAZEL TOV AND CONGRATULATIONS TO: the needs for a mod- • Arnie Shaw and his staff at Centennial Plumbing and Heating who, at the Saskatoon ern and current web- & Region Home Builders Association Annual Bridges Awards won the following: site. This has now been Renovation of the Year – Kitchen launched and will over the next few months Renovation of the Year – Bathroom expand and be a great source for our own Renovation of the Year – House Addition congregants and for prospective members. • Rebecca Simpson and Jordana Jacobsen of Cravings for creating and donating the This has been accomplished by the work of newly renovated lounge at RUH and to Centennial for renovating the bathrooms at the many but has been driven by the expertise lounge. and dedication of a new member, Heather • Bruce Cameron upon the birth of a grandson, Cole Anthony, a son to daughter Alice and Ross. I know she welcomes your input and Doug Germann and a brother to Madison. constructive criticism. Having just been the recipient of two Gold Medals for our Bulletin • Joanne Gertler-Jaffe on being awarded a Global Citizen of the Year Award. and for our Holocaust programming from the • Gladys Rose upon the engagement of her grandson, Mark Cooper, son of the late Kathy United Synagogue, there is no reason not to (Rose) and Gerry Cooper, to Alissa Gabel of Toronto expect more medals for our new website. The next two months will bring a flurry of import- CONDOLENCES TO: ant programs and events. In early March our children and hopefully many adult members • Grace Goluboff and family on the death of her brother Jerome Brown of New Jersery. of the congregation will listen to the reading of the Megillah on March 7th, followed by a GET WELL WISHES TO: Purim Carnival. On March 10th, we will join • Dr. Lou Horlick • Porat Isaacov with JSA for the annual ADULT Purim party, with a Wild West Theme. For those of us who WELCOME NEW MEMBERS: dread the thought of finding a costume, this Left to right: Levi, Shannon, Jordana, should be an easy task. With the planning of Simon, Daniel Clermont • Shannon and Daniel Clairmont and JSA and our Shlichim, B’nai Brith is again a children Levi, Jordana and Simon. Daniel generous patron of the event, providing the and Shannon Clermont married in 1998 food and “liquid” refreshments. That same and have spent most of their fourteen years weekend we will be hosting Rabbi Charles together in Saskatoon. Daniel is a capital Arian, a guest Rabbi who is interested in our market consultant, and Shannon is a full-time Congregation. The Rabbi Search Committee homemaker. They enjoy spending time together has been working diligently to ensure that with their children, being outdoors, travelling we are able to make a good choice for the and learning together. They look forward to future. There are several good candidates but connecting with other Jewish families and the committee and the Board of Trustees re- sharing the holidays and festivals of the year quire input from the membership. Ultimately with the Agudas Israel community. the Board will make a decision but it must be based on meticulous research and broad feedback from our congregants. Further visits Business Slipping Away? are pending over the next couple of months. Leila Goluboff Maybe you are paying too The Holocaust Memorial Committee Member of REMAX under the leadership of Jan and Ron Gitlin Chairman Club much for your steel? have again ensured an articulate witness to #3 Individual Awards 2011 Call Toll Free: Lifetime Achievement Award 2006 the Holocaust to be our Keynote Speaker 1-800-667-5353 and offer himself to over 2000 Saskatoon For Bucket Service Available and area students who will attend an educa- RESULTS, New Steel and Pipe tional program at the Synagogue to share his Used Steel and Pipe experiences. Elly Gotz will provide another SERVICE & unforgettable opportunity for us to reflect EXPERIENCE call me today. INLAND STEEL PRODUCTS INC on the worst time in history for the Jewish I look forward to working with you! people. But from the sorrow of the Shoah, one President: Mark Ditlove week later, in Saskatoon and in Israel, we will Saskatoon Saskatoon continued on page 12 Bus: (306) 242-6000 Cell: 241-1900 This page is sponsored by Alan, Linda and Sam Goluboff of Toronto This page is sponsored by Grace, Steven, Leila, Sarah & Shaina Goluboff 3 From Heather’s Garden by Heather Fenyes, President

Sometimes, it Saskatonian hiding around the corner. but subtle re-focus. The timing is ripe for us seems impossible The Rabbi reminded his congregation that as a community. The opportunity to clarify to ignore the tide our collective Jewish experience needs to be our offense is now. of worry and unrest more than a response to Israel politics and We are engaged in a search for a Rabbi. over the events in greater than our historical victimization. Yes, Our economy affords us this opportunity. the Middle East. Reports from all sides of we are both, AND we need to be more. As a This economic strength makes Saskatoon a the story have a cautiously bleak picture of Jewish community we must enrich ourselves place a Rabbi would consider. In a perfect what’s to come. With fears of a war with Iran, with more learning, social engagement, col- world, we could have both a Chazzan and a an increase in terror attacks, or even a nuclear lective prayer, local outreach, Jewish spirit Rabbi, but for today, we are able to stretch threat, it’s easy to focus our energy and ef- and JOY. We need to make our congregations ourselves at our offensive game. forts towards “defense” and be consumed by centers for rich culture and warm community. As we bring candidates to Saskatoon, I the effort. We must mind the defense, and honor our implore you to come and meet them. Join us Weighed by these worries, this past Shab- past - but especially we need to strengthen for a Friday night or Shabbat morning service. bat I went to shul in Boca Raton with Ayelet our offense and build for our future. Despite Talk politics, sports or spirituality. Think and Ido . We had a taste of both minyans the pressures of politics and our history of about the expansive and illuminated Judaism in the building and managed to squeeze two persecution, we need to open new spaces to we want for our children and grandchildren. d’vari torahs into one hour and forty-five fill with a whole, hopeful, Jewishness. Consider how we can engage ourselves in minutes. Each inspired, encouraged and pro- We are a community of small miracles. defining a whole, bright, offensive Judaism, voked my thought. But the second, the one We do more than most, and really are living and which Rabbi will fulfill this vision. I heard outside the door where 1000 people the challenge that the Boca Rabbi offered Be part of a decision that will redefine the were listening, resonated. It’s not that what his congregants. But I needed the reminder. community we hope to become. Be the of- he said was revolutionary, or even new. But it Sometimes as I work to help coordinate the fense. Be the future. was precisely the reminder I needed. It was small pieces I lose sight of the big picture. as if Rabbi Steinhardt directed his talk to the And for me, the big picture needed that small Hazzan’s Notes by Hazzan Neil Schwartz I seldom inject a this software has grown in contents, flexibility for IMUN during six retreats, it only took one personal element into and usability, and it now includes my own ver- retreat to realize a built-in challenge - half of this column, but it sions of Trope for chanting Torah, Haftarah, the 18 attendees could not read the notated occurred to me that and High Holy Days Torah. Hundreds of music of the chants in the curriculum. after four-and-a-half synagogues use this software for teaching By making Trope Trainer available to them, years, most congre- B’nei Mitzvah and Adult Education, not as a they were able to use their laptops during our gants are not aware of replacement for their teachers, but rather as a free time to practice the Torah and Haftarah a project on which I have been working since tool their students use for practice. chanting that we were teaching them. How- long before I arrived in Canada. This project About seven years ago, this gentleman told ever, the new Tefillah Trainer software was includes something new that I developed, and me that he was working on a similar piece of just being developed, so I developed a set of my “invention” is also the subject of my M.A. teaching software to teach “davening”, the new graphic symbols that indicate the musical Thesis at the U of S. chanting of our prayers, and he invited me motifs of our davening in a way that is similar Here is the “back story” of this project. to notate the all musical modes and motifs to how Trope symbols indicate the musical In February of 2002 the United Synagogue, for each prayer. Some 1200 prayers later, motifs of Biblical chant. Rabbinical Assembly, Cantors Assembly, “Tefillah Trainer™” now includes full Shab- Like the Trope marks in a Chumash or He- Jewish Educators Assembly, and Synagogue bat and Weekday services for Conservative, brew Bible, these symbols also indicate the Executives all shared a single “Five Pillars” Reform, Orthodox and Chassidic versions of punctuation of the Hebrew texts. They are convention in Washington, D.C. The exhibit our liturgy. Future plans include the music visually quite simple, just 18 symbols that are area was huge, and in a corner was a gentle- of our home rituals, Festival and High Holy found in the “character set” of any computer. man offering a new software product called Days services, and congregational melodies. The unique aspect of using them for indicating “Trope Trainer™” from his company called The other component of the “back story” musical motifs is the fact that these particular Kinnor Software. for my invention is the fact that I was invited graphic symbols now have a new musical We spoke about his new teaching software to be the lead teacher for the IMUN Program, meaning when placed over the Hebrew words and I purchased a copy, offering to give him a summer retreat for lay religious leaders of our prayers. This system addresses “VAK” feedback on its usability and any improve- presented by United Synagogue. While I (“Visual-Auditory-Kinesthetic”) modalities of ments that I could suggest. Over the years ultimately taught Cantillation and “davening” continued on page 13 This page is sponsored by Dr. Alan Rosenberg & Dr. Lesley-Ann Crone and family 4 Life is full of Beginnings by Ido and Ayelet Then gets out at the beginning of all beginnings – LOVE. And everybody is happy Love is the engine of all great things, among And suddenly, how wonderful them, the happy and the fulfilling, the risky It walks on its own. and the frightening. A LOVE and BEGIN- How is a song born? ING always go together. The love entails, Like a baby.” the spark, the idea, the passion. The begin- ‘How is a baby born? Like a Shlichut’. Let ning entails overcoming a fear, taking a risk us explain what we mean by this analogy we and making the first step. These two things, have made. First a decision for both is neces- love and the beginning, are sometimes more Shalom again, sary. Every decision a couple makes, requires important and significant than the entire proc- Life is full of beginnings. Each morning, discussion; some of them are public and some ess or even than the result itself. Whether the every new thing learned and every experience are very intimate. Eventually a decision is process ends in success or disappointment, is a beginning. It might be the beginning of made, hopefully in the most balanced way. All there is nothing that will undo the changes something brief, or it could be a moment that that is left is the transformation, from theory we have experienced along the way. It can marks the beginning of a journey of a life to practice. We believe that you all know the sometimes be narrowed down to a fraction time. What is beautiful about every beginning drill of having babies; therefore we will elabo- of a second, because the magic lies in the is that it has the potential to change your life. rate only on the other decision, the Shlichut. “LOVE- BEGINNING”. The resemblance This is what makes beginnings so special and We would like to share with you some of our that we find between the birth of our baby and exciting. This however is also frightening. experiences leading up to the journey of our going on Shlichut, can be heard each night As you probably know, we are expecting a Shlichut, how everything started after the when we whisper to our yet unborn baby the new beginning soon, our first baby. This is decision was made. It all started in a hotel in same words that Heather and Elaine told us an experience which will start a new chapter Jerusalem. We were sitting in the lobby when in Jerusalem: “We don’t know you but we and beginning of our lives. There is an Israeli two ladies appeared from the elevator dressed already know that we will love you”. Before children’s song called “How is a song born?” in the latest orthodox fashion (later we found all the insanity starts, the sleepless nights (By Yonatan Gefen) and the chorus goes out that wasn’t their usual style). The minute and the race against the clock, we would like something like this: we saw one another we knew that we were to take a second to cherish in our hearts that “How is a song born? here for each other. These were of course “LOVE - BEGINNING” that started it all. A Like laughter, Heather Fenyes and Elaine Sharfe. They came moment before everything changes. It starts from the inside to check out the latest Shlichim model in the And rolls out. market. One of the first things that they told www.agudasisrael.org How is a song born? us was: “We don’t know you but we already Like a baby, know that we will love you”. And here lies At the beginning it hurts the resemblance between a birth and Shlichut, The Bulletin Editor-in-Chief...... Steven Goluboff Page Sponsorship...... $25/issue or $130/year Youth Editor...... Mayah Holtslander Issues Published...... 130 Advertising Manager...... Ron Gitlin Issues/Year...... 6 Circulation Manager...... Myla Deptuch If you are happy with the Bulletin and enjoy reading it, please consider sponsoring a page ($25/issue or $130/year). Contact Layout & Graphic Design...... Janet Eklund Steven Goluboff or Ron Gitlin. Proof Reading...... Bruce Cameron A few months ago, the Board of CAI E-Mail Address: [email protected], Cost of this issue with mailing...... $1200 [email protected], [email protected] gave the go ahead for the development Advertisements...... $30/issue website: www.saskatoon.uscjhost.net of a new website. A small group of us worked together with Lewis Robinovitch of Spoke Studio to develop this new site. I PROFESSIONAL ADVICE am pleased to announce that the new site FROM A QUALIFIED is now up at http://agudasisrael.org. The FINANCIAL ADVISOR old site has been taken down, but for now, C H A R T E R E D A C C O U N T A NTS anyone going to the old address will be Keith Thomson B.Comm. CA Paul S. Jaspar FCA Darrell Nordstrom, R.F.P., redirected to the new one. Brian Turnquist B.Comm. CA C.F.P., CLU. On this new site you will find news and Michael Gorniak B.Comm. CA •Financial Estate Planning upcoming events, general information •Accounting & Auditing •Personal & Corporate Tax Planning & Preparation •Investment Management about our congregation, the current and • Computer Consulting, Training & Monthly Processing •Charitable Bequests past issues of The Bulletin, and recent •Financial Planning & Loan Proposals Assante Wealth Management sermons. •Estate Planning •Farm Taxation & NISA Forms •Business Plans •Litigation Support •Business Valuations Wealth Creation, Preservation and Management You can also find us on Facebook at 200 - 261 1st Ave. East www.facebook.com/ 244-4414 Fax: 244-1545 Saskatoon, Sask. S7K 1X2 AgudasIsraelSynagogue 200 - 128 - 4th Avenue South, Saskatoon Bus: 665-3377 Res: 933-4123 Heather Ross - Webmaster

This page is spsonored by Effie (Brook) & Harry Gordon of Vancouver This page is sponsored by Gladys Rose of Toronto 5 Hadassah-WIZO News CHW is Canada’s leading Jewish women’s philanthropic organization. Found- ed in 1917, CHW is non-political, volunteer driven and funds a multitude of pro- grams and projects for Children, Healthcare and Women in Israel and Canada.

by Linda Shaw,

I’m back from We will be launching this year’s Silver As usual, we ask members and friends to South America but Spoon Dinner at our Ticket Sale Wine & make a contribution ($18 suggested). I’m still feeling in “va- Cheese Reception on Monday, March 12th Enjoy the warming weather. cation mode”. It’s hard to think about all the at the Top of the Inn, Sheraton Cavalier. This See you April 8th things I’ve put off for the five weeks that now is our 22nd Annual Silver Spoon and we need to been tackled. The great news is that anticipate another huge success with one of our Sarah Goldenberg Chapter of Hadassah- Saskatoon’s most famous exports: pop icon, WIZO business continued well in my absence. actress, model and Reality TV star, Shannon hadassah cards The 2011 CHW Annual Campaign wrapped Tweed. Be part of it all by attending, volun- up at the end of December and once again it teering, donating prizes, selling tickets and • from the chapter to MARSHA SHARFSTEIN get well wishes was a success. With our raffle proceeds, we helping in any way you can. raised over $11,000 – the first time in many Our next Hadassah-WIZO event is the • from Linda & Arnie Shaw to DAVID & years. Congratulations! The money raised Annual Pesach Tea, Sunday, April 8th at BARBARA NELSON deepest sympathy goes to support all the vital Hadassah-WIZO 2:00 p.m.. It’s a social to celebrate Pesach, on the passing of your mother ANNIE projects for Children, Healthcare and Women springtime and our connection as women. NELSON in Israel. 0nce again I am including a list of all the 2011 donors to date. Thank you donors, so very much. (Let me know if I’ve missed CHW 2011 CAMPAIGN your name or if you wish to contribute- it’s Thank you to all who so generously contributed to the 2009 CHW Campaign. This is our never too late.) sole annual fundraiser for the good work of CHW in Israel. It’s never too late to donate. Leona conducted the CHW Raffle Draw Call Linda Shaw. at the Sisterhood Shabbat Family Dinner at The following is a list of current donors: the end of January and I want to extend my June Avivi Saul Gonor Burna Purkin congratulations to Tom Redhead, the winner Mel Bernbaum Dianne Greenblat Gladys Rose of this year’s Jewish Style Dinner-for-Eight Jennie Bobowsky Zara Gurstein Jack Sandbrand Raffle. We haven’t set a date for the dinner in Elizabeth Brewster Jennifer Hesselson Robin Sasko his home yet but I know our Sarah Goldenberg Bruce Buckwold Kayla Hock Jean Scharfstein Chapter members will give the Redheads and Richard Buckwold Jordana Jacobson Marsha Scharfstein their guests an evening to remember. I’m Lesley-Ann Crone Randy Katzman Neil Schwartz looking forward to seeing what specialties our Wendy Ditlove Susan Katzman Elaine Sharfe Linda Epstein Sherry King Linda Shaw talented cooks will offer. Let me know what Janet Erikson Pauline Laimon Rebecca Simpson special dish (or wine) you’d like to contrib- Rita Gillies Surina Neveling Barry Singer ute to the feast. Thank you to everyone who Jan Gitlin Mary Melnychuk Daphne Taras bought and sold raffle tickets. Leila Goluboff Patricia Pavey Shannon Waldman Bette-Ellen Gonick Allen Ponak Leona Wasserman

SHERWOOD Annual CHW gmc RV gmc Medium Sales Heavy gmc Duty and Duty Trucks Service Trucks

Free Shuttle Service Body Shop At the home of Leila Goluboff Pick-up and Delivery The Body Shop provides 227 Lakeshore Place Free Loaners on all SGI 7:30 a.m. - 5:15 p.m. or Retail Collision Claims SHERWOOD Sunday, April 8th 550 Brand Road • Saskatoon At 2:00 p.m. 374-6330 • Toll Free 1-877-374-6330 This page is sponsored by Mickey and Lucille Narun of Toronto. This Page is Sponsored by Saskatoon Hadassah WIZO 6 CIJA – CANADIAN COUNCIL FOR ISRAEL AND JEWISH ADVOCACY Purpose of the Organization versed. In a very real sense, this represents the has established in Canada and the countless Canadian Council for Israel and Jewish application of the “Shared Values” approach ways in which it has contributed to and en- Advocacy (the “Organization”) is an organiza- on the domestic level. hanced the larger Canadian experience. Both tion which conducts non-partisan educational to validate the ongoing contribution of the and advocacy efforts on its own and through 3. To enable full engagement of Jewish community and ensure that its par- other established organizations, sharing in Jewish and pro-Israel activism ticular needs and aspirations are understood the roles of promoting a positive relationship Tapping into the potential of the grass- within that broader context, it is essential to between Canada and Israel, fighting anti- roots community (within both the Jewish sensitize Canadians to the historical record of Semitism, advocating for human rights and and the broader, pro-Israel communities) is achievement and involvement of the Jewish values and issues that affect the community, recognized on an intellectual level, but only community in the development of Canada as and educating Canadians on issues affecting pursued on an episodic and sporadic basis. a country and society. the community. The Organization is incor- Empowering this rich resource to take greater porated under the Canada Corporations Act ownership of the advocacy effort and effec- 6. To entrench pro-Israel posi- and is considered a not-for-profit organization tively engage in that endeavour in a sustained tions as normative Canadian under the Income Tax Act. way requires us to elevate their level of flu- policy (balanced and princi- ency with the issues and advocacy techniques pled approach) Strategic Objectives as well as ongoing support to facilitate their The rationale of this basic strategic goal Seven Strategic Objectives involvement. The Centre for Israel and Jewish is self-evident. Its achievement within the 1. To eradicate the distinction Affairs can effectively serve as an agent of our context of the new political landscape con- between anti-Semitism and constituency but not as its substitute. stitutes a much greater challenge. However, anti-Zionism a failure to maintain a consensus within the Our experience over the last number of 4. To be identified as a pre-emi- political sector will result in support for Israel years increasingly confirms the view that the nent contributor to public becoming a wedge issue rather than a unify- distinctions between classic anti-Semitism policy ing characteristic of Canadian public policy, and anti-Zionism have blurred and, in many The interests of the Jewish community are which, in turn, would force us to re-think our cases, evaporated altogether. For the unini- not limited to a narrow set of public policy entire approach to securing support for Israel tiated, however, this assertion is less than issues. within Canada. obvious – since Anti-Semitism is understood Securing its place at the public policy in the conventional sense of hatred or action table will ensure that the Jewish perspective 7. To enhance Federations as the directed against Jews and anti-Zionism is informs the debate and decision-making proc- central hub of Jewish commu- interpreted as legitimate criticism directed ess. Moreover, a robust effort to participate nity organization against a nation-state. in that process will enhance our ability to Recognizing that Federations serve as the Our goal is to achieve widespread under- contribute to and influence the development foundation of our system, it is essential that standing that anti-Zionism – the denial of of public policy and establish us as the “go the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs play the Jewish people’s national aspirations and to” community on a wide range of public a community development role, helping to entitlement to be repatriated to their ancestral policy issues. strengthen and animate the Federations’ ca- homeland – represents nothing other than pacity to serve the Jewish community. a new effort to single out and differentiate 5. To establish and define the Jews from the rest of the world. The de-legit- Jewish community as an histor- Editor’s note: Heather Fenyes sits on the imization of the Jewish national experience ic community and contributor Board of CIJA and Steven Goluboff sits on represents nothing other than the transfer of to Canadian society the Membership Committe on behalf of the the vilification once directed at individuals to Too often, the Jewish community is re- funding organizations of CIJA. a corporate proxy, namely, the State of Israel. garded as a parochial interest group, without recognition of the deep roots the community 2. Maximize Jewish Engagement in Civil Society Canadian Jewry and, by extension, the set CUELENAERE, KENDALL of ethical, cultural and religious values that KATZMAN serve as the foundation of Jewish communal identity, represents an important resource RICHARDS that can enrich Canadian society as a whole. & The spirit of voluntarism, the tradition of SASKATOON'S Barristers, Solicitors and Mediators philanthropy and the centrality of collective ARTS & CONVENTION RANDY KATZMAN responsibility are hallmarks of the Jewish CENTRE B.Comm., LL.B. experience. Jewish engagement in the wider (306) 653-5000 #35 22nd Street E. Saskatoon, SK circle of civil society has diminished signifi- Fax: (306) 652-4171 cantly and that trend – both for the benefits Tickets: www.tcutickets.ca that will accrue to the Jewish community and Website: www.tcuplace.com 5th Floor, Atrium Place, #510, 128 - 4th Avenue S., Canada as a whole – must be arrested and re- (306) 975-7777 Saskatoon, S7K 1M8 This page is sponsored by Leona Wasserman 7 Our Moral Failure by Dov Harris reprinted from the Canadian Jewish News

The indigent sur- basic diet, let alone medicines, have been what a renascent people can achieve. It has vivor: a global emer- turned away … because we don’t have the been a golden age of achievement unprec- gency resources to help them” – Steve Schwager, edented in our history. Never have we had They are our CEO of the JDC. such means at our disposal, never have we brothers and sisters, Theses astounding numbers should roar been so organized, never have we been freer but we have not been across the Jewish world. How did we allow to mount a global operation to reach even the their keeper. our moral compass to slip from our fingers? most isolated survivor living a life of suffer- A c c o r d i n g t o Pleading ignorance of their plight is damning. ing, let alone the impoverished survivor living the Jewish Material It is a non-starter. It should be our business in our community. Claims Conference against Germany, 260,000 to know. It is not as though nothing has been done. Survivors, about half of the Survivors of the Disturbing questions crowd the mind. Is it Shafts of light are provided by the superb Holocaust estimated at 517,000, still alive - a case of willful blindness? Is the presence of work done by the JDC, the Jewish Agency, the live in poverty. The majority of the poor, about the poverty stricken Survivor so inconvenient Foundation for Holocaust Victims in Israel, 90,000, live in countries of the former Soviet to the Holocaust narrative that we choose to NGOs and other organizations. Yet for all Union and about 70,000 live in Israel. look the other way? Are they the spoilers they do, it remains insufficient. Their frustra- As time runs out for these elderly people, stubbornly lingering on in dreadful circum- tion is palpable. So much more could be done. our moral failure to address the plight of stances inducing guilt and resentment and so How long will we, the Jewish commu- survivors who were unable to reconnect with better ignored, the crack running across the nity, consider the status quo as good enough society and who now live out their lives at its symmetry of a beginning and an end to the before we recognize it to be a global Jewish edges, in penury and in poor health, is a co- Holocaust nightmare? Or, is it simply a case emergency? Without this happening any hope lossal sin of omission of historic proportions. of deluding ourselves assuming they are being of rallying our organizations and the global It is by no means the purpose of this article taken care of by official bodies, and then not Jewish community in a last act of chesed is to analyze the failure or otherwise of official asking how effective these organizations are, dashed - and with it, any chance to salvage bodies or non-profits that have undertaken the and if they are not effective what can be done our own dignity. responsibility to deal with the situation. Such to redress the situation. Soon it will be too late. On average 12,800 an analysis would shift the focus from where In Canada survivors we are likely to meet Survivors pass away each year (35 people per it should be: to expose our baffling response are by and large remarkable people who’ve day) at least a quarter of whom will have lived to the plight of the destitute Survivor. risen from their past to forge successful their lives out in poverty and this is Israel! We Our relationship to the Survivor, our living lives. They are witnesses to the enduring and would suppose the figure for those who live link to the most appalling calamity in our his- indomitable human spirit. We are reassured, their lives in poverty to be at least equal, if not tory, is quite unlike any other. We are bound even elevated, by their success. Few of us, greater, in the former Soviet Union. at the most primal biological level: our Jewish though, ask the question, what has become When the last Survivor dies in poverty, birth. For survivors, it meant the most horrific of those survivors who have not succeeded we and future generations will be left to consequences; for us today, the privilege to in overcoming their pasts? ponder the conundrum how it came about be part of a people writing a glorious chapter The measures taken to alleviate the sur- that a People whose central tenet of morality in its history. We cannot undo history, but vivor’s poverty reflect the ambivalence we is “Ve’Ahavta le’reiacha kemochah,” to love consider how just it would have been had all have toward the inconvenient Survivor. The you neighbor as yourself, could as well, with survivors, even the poorest, been treated as fumbling of successive Israeli governments breathtaking irony, withhold this embrace treasured beings by their resurgent people, a is a case in point. from their very own. people risen from the ashes. The mystery is On August 21, 2007, the Speaker of the why it never happened. Knesset, Dalia Itzik, speaking on behalf of Is- Editor’s note: Dov recently retired as Director In 2011 the Jewish Joint Distribution rael government at a special session, declared, of Financial Resource Development, Regional Committee’s (JDC) Myers-JDC- Brookdale “We are here to rectify the situation (of the Communities, UIA of Canada. He worked Institute carried out a study in Israel, where plight of Survivors) so that we may be able with the Saskatoon Jewish Community for some 208,000 victims of Nazi atrocities live. to look into the Survivor’s eyes and tell them many years. Approximately 33% or 66,000 live below on behalf of Israeli society, we apologize”. the poverty line. A number live in “shameful Such a declaration by the central organ of conditions”, Ron Kalinsky, the CEO of the government could not have been more em- Foundation for Holocaust Victims in Israel, phatic and yet its implementation fell far short told the Jerusalem Post. They are among of expectations. And, this is the situation in the poorest elderly in Israel. Too many die Israel which all the resources of a modern state in indignity amid the plenty of a sovereign and where the Diaspora could have played a Jewish homeland. partnership role. As shocking as that is, the situation of Where were we? survivors living in poverty in countries of What of our impoverished brethren living Accounting & Auditing Financial Planning the former Soviet Union (FSU) is deeply in countries of the former Soviet Union and Estate Planning Mergers & Acquisitions worrisome. Despite the best efforts of the elsewhere? The indignity of the twice cursed Management Consulting Income Tax Returns cash strapped JDC with a caseload of about Survivor living in poverty continues, first by Business Valuations Corporate Tax Returns 164,000, among whom there are 82,000 an apathetic world and now by their largely survivors and an equal number who are not, apathetic people. Saskatoon Regina they remain mired in poverty. If this were not At no time in our history have we been Tel: (306) 653-6100 Tel: (306) 522-6500 enough, there are in addition“an estimated better prepared to transform the situation than Website www.virtusgroup.ca 60,000 indigent elderly who can’t afford a now. The past 65 years have demonstrated This page is sponsored by the Saskatchewan Jewish Council 8 Biography: Mark Zuckerberg by Stan Schroeder (originally published March, 2011) If you’re ogy and computer science and belonged to a dramatization of the story of Mark not part of Alpha Epsilon Pi, a Jewish fraternity. In his Zuckerberg at Harvard and the founding the Facebook sophomore year, he wrote a program he called of facebook, starring Jesse Eisenberg as generation (I CourseMatch, which allowed users to make Zuckerberg. The story revolved around assume most class selection decisions based on the choices the contention of three Harvard seniors of my.readers of other students and also to help them form that they had the original idea for a social are not), the study groups. network web-site at Harvard, and that face you see That same year he developed and launched Zuckerberg agreed to work on it for on the left is a social networking site he called theface- them. According to the story, Zuckerberg just another book. Harvard students young man, had requested a site with a n d m a y b e students’ pictures and in- y o u m i g h t formation accessible to the guess a com- student body. The univer- puter geek. Well, this young man is a computer sity was unable to build geek, but not like any other in the world. This such a site, so Zuckerberg is the richest young man (26 years old) in the decided to build it him- world and worth between an estimated 7 and self, and with even more 14 billion dollars. features. He had previ- Mark Elliot Zuckerberg was born May ously built a site called 14, 1984 in White Plains, New York to Karen, Facemash where students a psychiatrist, and Edward, a dentist. Mark could vote for the “hotter” and his three sisters were brought up in Dobbs of two student’s photos, Ferry, NY. He was raised Jewish, including but the university shut it down. sabotaged their project by promising to having his bar mitzvah when he turned 13, With the help of his roommate they soon work for them while he was developing although he has since described himself as spread the website to other universities and launching his own site. The three sued an atheist. including Stanford, Dartmouth, Columbia, Zuckerberg, and an out-of-court settlement Zuckerberg began using computers and Cornell, Brown, and Yale. At the end of the was reached. The film portrays Zuckerberg writing soft-ware as a child in middle school. school year Zuckerberg and some of his in an unfavorable light. His father taught him BASIC Programming programmer-friends moved to Palo Alto for Facebook is now the third-largest US in the 1990s, and later hired a software de- the summer where they rented a house and Web Company after Google and Amazon. It veloper to tutor him privately. Zuckerberg worked on upgrading and promoting the is the top social network in the US, Europe, also took a graduate course in the subject at website. Facebook was incorporated that and across eight individual markets in Mercy College near his home while he was summer with the help of entrepeneur Peter Asia. It has an estimated worth of $41 still in high school. He enjoyed developing Thiel, co-founder of PayPal, who became billion. (Note: As of a current expected IPO computer programs, especially communica- their first major investor and company offering, it is now worth an estimated $100 tion tools and games. president. This was 2004. billion.) It now has over 2000 employees During his high school years, under the Zuckerberg decided not to return to and 500 million active users. company name Intelligent Media Group, he Harvard, but to raise additional capital to Mark Zuckerberg was named Time built a music player called the Synapse Media expand the business. In 2005 the company Magazine Person-of-the-year for 2010. He Player that used artificial intelligence to learn purchased the domain name facebook.com. takes his place with American presidents, the user’s listening habits. Microsoft and AOL In September 2005 facebook introduced world leaders, and eminent institutions. tried to purchase Synapse and recruit Zucker- their high school version. Soon they opened He is the youngest winner since Charles berg, but he chose instead to enroll at Harvard membership to employees of several Lindbergh won the original award in 1927 University in September 2002. companies including Microsoft and Apple, at the age of 25. By the time he began classes at Harvard, and then to anyone over 13. September 24, 2010 Zuckerberg he had already achieved a reputation as a October 1, 2010 Columbia Pictures appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show along programming prodigy. He studied psychol- released the film The Social Network, with the governor of New Jersey and the mayor of Newark to announce the creation of the Startup: Education Foundation and a gift of $100 million to the Newark public school system. He has also signed the Giving Pledge, along with other billionaires who pledged to give over half their fortune to charity during their lifetimes.

Editors Note: Stan Schroeder is the Editor of Congregation Shir Ami’s “Shir Notes” in Los Angeles which also won a Gold Medal for “Bulletins.” He writes biographies of famous Jews and has offered to share them with us.

This page is sponsored by Jeffrey and Sherril Stein. 9 Shannon Tweed

L a d i e s , Shannnon’s been in the news a lot lately the chance to get to know the funny, sassy, we’ve learned for encouraging her friends to support the down-to-earth and immensely entertaining that you love Saskatoon SPCA as she married her partner side of Shannon Tweed. to be enter- of 28 years, KISS band-leader, Gene Sim- Silver Spoon Dinner meets Reality TV… tained and the mons. Perhaps you know her best from the Come celebrate 22 years of Silver Spoon 2012 Silver current TV hit “Gene Simmons Family Jewels success on Monday, May 7th. Be sure to join Spoon Dinner or from her movie and TV roles, or from her us as we really put the FUN in Fundraising. is bound to be hugely entertaining. This year notoriety as the 1982 Playmate of the Year, or Don’t miss it. our featured celebrity speaker is well-known, just as one of Saskatoon’s most attractive and model, actress, pop-culture icon, Shannon famous exports. Now the women will have Tweed. IOC Update by Shira Fenyes

We are proud to announce that Israel on of the credit, it is the generous university Campus (IOC Saskatoon) will be donating community that opened their hearts to save $300 to the Israeli organization, Save a Child’s a few. Heart. SACH is an Israeli-based international For more information about Save a Child’s humanitarian project providing life-saving Heart visit: www.saveachildsheart.orgE-mail: heart surgeries and follow-up care for children [email protected] from third world countries. In partnership with the Jewish Agency While our homemade truffles deserve some for Israel

The Saskatoon Jewish Foundation As my father planted for gratefully acknowledges the following contributions: me before I was born, TO GREETING FROM Saskatoon Jewish Foundation Carol Golumbia & Family In loving memory of Laurie Feldman Alan Rosenberg & Lesley-Ann Crone So do I plant for those Glady Rose In honour of your 85th birthday Alan Rosenberg & Lesley-Ann Crone Chan Katzman In honour of your 90th birthday Joseph, Karen and Katie Dawson who will come after me. Rabbi Roger Pavey Tikkun Olam Fund from the Talmud JoAnne Jaffe In honour of becoming Patricia Pavey “Global Citizen of the Year” Ron & Jan Gitlin Congratulations on receiving the Joseph, Karen & Katie Dawson Solomon Schecter Award

Gladys & Gerry Rose Fund Don Sanderson & Collen Zuk Congratulations to you on your marriage Glady Rose & Family & best wishes to you in your new home Grace Goluboff In memory of Gerry Brown Glady Rose

Yom Kippur Fund - Breaking the Fast Donations Ilia & Lily Pekurovski Your contribution, sent to: Saskatoon Jewish Foundation Nate & Grace Goluboff fund Congregation Agudas Israel, Chan Katzman In honour of your 90th birthday The Goluboff family 715 McKinnon Avenue, Saskatoon Steven Goluboff Congratulations on receiving the Joseph, Karen & Katie Dawson S7H 2G2 Solomon Schecter Award will be gratefully received and faithfully applied. Miklos Kanitz Holocaust Education Fund Chan Katzman In honour of your 90th birthday Burna Purkin

This page is sponsored by Lois & Walter Gumprich, with Susanne, Daniel, Michelle, Abigail and their families. 10 Jewish Students’ Association by Matthew Feldman, JSA President

P a r e n t s , School kids did a wonderful job of leading on the success of our JSA soccer team, the Friends, Students us through services and we hope to see them Screamin’ Chickens. Throughout January and and Members of again in the near future! Our own JSA-led Fri- February, we have had several close games. the Community: day night service organized by Corey Bacher Most significantly, our game on January I am pleased and Shira Fenyes was held on February 3rd 27th resulted in a thrilling 4-3 victory! The to be back writ- with a special Tu Bishvat theme. In the spirit contribution from all players on the field that ing all of you for of the holiday, on behalf of the JSA, Geoffrey night is what propelled us to our exciting win. another edition Katz was sitting in “the winning seat” and as With a few more games before the end of the of our community newsletter. Since coming such had a tree planted in Israel in his name. year, we are hoping to notch a few more wins back to school in January, the Jewish Students’ Needless to say, JSA and community members on our belt. Association on campus has hit the ground alike had an enjoyable evening. As I wrap up this update, I want to inform running. After our executive committee met So many of you may be wondering, “Do you of our Purim Party taking place on March in mid-January, we had several programs these students get together outside of school 10th at Agudas Israel. Gather ‘round because in the works including a JSA-led Friday and the synagogue?” My answer to that with a “Wild Wild West” theme, we are sure night service at Agudas Israel Synagogue, a question is an absolute “Yes”! On February that the games, prizes, and party will be a Gourmet Grilled Cheese and Wine event, the 11th, about 15 JSA members and friends got “hootin’ and hollerin’” good time! This will beginnings of our annual Purim Party and the together at Corey Bacher’s apartment not undoubtedly be the party of the year where annual Family Friday Night Shabbat dinner at just for a Wine and Cheese event, but for a members of the community and Jewish stu- Agudas Israel specially led by students from Gourmet Grilled Cheese and Wine event. dents on campus can come together to enjoy the Hebrew School. Above all of that, the Complete with several different cheeses, the Purim festivities. Invitations will be going Screamin’ Chickens soccer team has played breads, spreads, and toppings ranging from out shortly so we look forward to seeing all in several close and exciting games. tomatos to shaved coconut, we all did our of you there! On behalf of JSA, I would like to thank best to make the most mouth-watering grilled All the best to you and your families, everyone responsible for organizing the cheese sandwich we had ever eaten. The Matthew Feldman Community Shabbat Dinner on January turnout was excellent and spending the night JSA President 2011-2012 20th. As always, the food was delicious and with good friends just put it all over the top. the company was even better. The Hebrew It is imperative that I also update all of you THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE DONORS TO THE 2011 SASKATOON UNITED JEWISH APPEAL CAMPAIGN THAT PROVIDED US WITH $112,000 FOR THE WORK OF THE JEWISH AGENCY IN ISRAEL AND AROUND THE WORLD AND FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE TO FUND THE SHLICHIM PROGRAM IN SASKATOON STEVEN GOLUBOFF, CAMPAIGN CHAIRMAN.

June Aviv Sol Gonor Robin and Bryce Sasko Eli Borenstein Gerry and Diane Greenblatt Grant and Marsha Scharfstein Elizabeth Brewster Zara Gurstein Jean Scharfstein Bruce and Tamara Buckwold Lou and Ruth Horlick Jim and Jan Scharfstein Rich and Carol Buckwold Perry and Jordana Jacobsen Michael Scharfstein Ian and Mary Ellen Buckwold David and Susanne Kaplan Neil Schwartz Bruce Cameran David and Susan Katzman Daniel Shapiro and Marie Lanoo Cindy Cohen Randy and Shirley Katzman Sherwood and Elaine Sharfe Joe and Karen Dawson Ralph Katzman Harold and Lisa Shiffman Mark and Wendy Ditlove Sherry and Cam King Rebecca and Steven Simpson Matthew Ditlove Ted Korber Barry Singer Janet Erickson Pauline Laimon Barry Slawsky Heather and Les Fenyes Terry Levitt Jeffrey Stein Josh and Nicki Gitlin Simonne Horwitz and Dwight Newman David Stromberg Ron and Jan Gitlin Patricia Pavey Robert Stromberg Grace Goluboff Mirka Pollak Daphne Taras and Alan Ponak Sarah Goluboff Gladys Rose Leona Wasserman Shaina Goluboff Alan and Lesley Ann Rosenberg Henry Wolff Steven and Leila Goluboff Jack Sandbrand

This Page is Sponsored by the United Israel Appeal of Canada 11 Conservations with Members... FROM THE ARCHIVES OF CONGREGATION AGUDAS ISRAEL An Interview with Martha Blum conducted by Anna Feldman, submitted by Patricia Pavey

ANNA FELDMAN, a member of CAI, witness to horrendous events. She talks of Glady: Were your parents musical as well? now living in Toronto, conducted many oral her experiences as a pharmacist and married Martha: Yes, but they didn’t have time histories while in Saskatoon. These were done woman in Romania, Hungary and her family’s to practice or do anything. Richard’s mother during visits and using a tape recorder. They eventual escape to Israel. With her husband, played the piano and sang beautifully so she have been put on to CDs by the National Li- Richard, daughter Irene and son Alexander, was a good pianist. But my mother wasn’t.. brary of Canada and our library has a number Martha finally arrived in Canada (Halifax) in My brother and I played music. We had a of them. The transcription of such interviews 1951. In 1954, the family came to Saskatoon, small symphony orchestra is verbatim, exactly the way the people spoke and Martha talks a bit about their early years Willie (Martha’s brother) wasn’t happy during the interviews. One example is an in this city. with me, because he said, “You don’t work interview between Martha Blum and Anna Following is a very small sample from this enough, you’re not good enough, you’re Feldman, taped on 14th June, 1993. Gladys interview, when Martha met Richard. lousy, you’re this, you’re that”, but basically Rose was also present. I was good enough but he was strict with me, The interview briefly discusses the back- Anna: Now what about Richard? You he wanted me to do more. He was six years ground of Martha’s parents’ (the Guttmans’) mentioned Richard in Prague, did you meet older and he was much better. lives. It covers in more detail Martha’s him there? Richard started one day to come along. life since 1930, in Chernovitz (then in the Martha: I met Richard at the age of 17. We said, “Do you sing?” No he doesn’t sing, Austro-Hungarian empire), her student days We sang together. My brother played the and he doesn’t play the piano, so we said “We in Prague, Strasbourg, Paris and Bucharest. piano and Richard’s eldest brother went to don’t want you - go home.” But he kept com- She talks about Zionism and her involve- school with my brother. The Blums had four ing, and one day after we sang he took me by ment with other Jews in Communism and her beautiful voices, a basso, a soprano, a bari- the hand and he said, “Let’s go for a walk.” passionate interest in music. Not a religious tone. Richard’s sister was a soprano, I was So we went for a walk and then we sat on a Jew, Martha tells of the attitudes she encoun- a mezzo soprano. We were sitting around the bench and we kissed and that was it. tered in her life. piano, we were going through opera and other It covers – in great detail – the years of types of music. Editor’s Note: Martha, Richard and their the second world war, where Martha was two children Alexander and Irene have all passed away.

Editorial... from page 3 respond with joy and celebration as we party breast cancer research and clinical medicine survivors experience today, mainly in the for Israel’s 64th Birthday. Ido and Ayelet at a at a Gala Dinner in Vancouver. I suspect former Soviet Union and in Israel. Despite the recent meeting in Toronto were able to arrange there will be several Saskatoon ex-patriots billions of dollars that Germany has paid in a guest Israeli singer and entertainer, Danny in attendance. reparations over the years, their plight is still Robas to be the highlighter for the evening. In this issue of The Bulletin, I have intro- enormous. Dov is seeking to raise awareness This event is sponsored by the Seymour Buck- duced you to a new Jewish organization, and hopefully create an order where their final wold Cultural Fund of the Saskatoon Jewish CIJA, Canadian Council for Israel and Jew- days will be kinder and they will receive more Foundation and by CIJA about which I will ish Advocacy. It has replaced the previous compassion. refer to later in this column. Go check him out well-known organizations, Canadian Jewish On a final note, the recent visit of the on YouTube. Bring your family and friends. It Congress and the Canada-Israel Commit- United Synagogue’s Kehila Relationship will be a great evening. Of course, don’t forget tee. Its mandate is to provide advocacy and manager, Jay Weiner, challenged us to re- the highlight of the women’s social schedule educational opportunities, promote a positive member our Jewish journeys. Several of in Saskatoon, the 22nd Annual Silver Spoon relationship between Canada and Israel, fight our members briefly shared them on that Dinner on May 7th, with guest, Saskatoon na- anti-Semitism and advocate for human rights evening in February. I am hoping that both tive and wife to Kiss’ Gene Simmons. and values that affect all Canadians. Heather spontaneous and solicited contributions will Our Saskatoon Jewish community has Fenyes sits on the Board of CIJA and I sit on provide an interesting and personalized feel produced and exported a host of individuals the Membership Committee representing the for The Bulletin. In addition, Patricia Pavey with great talent and skills. Dr. Karen Gelmon, funding organization, the United Israel Appeal has agreed to contribute excerpts from the a graduate of Nutana Collegiate, the U. of S. of Canada. We are both seeking others in the countless interviews which Anna Feldman College of Medicine and the CAI Hebrew community who might be interested in being performed with former and past CAI mem- School, is a world renowned medical oncolo- involved with this important and interesting bers. In this issue, she gives us a glimmer of gist in Vancouver. Karen is the daughter of organization. what that might look like with a piece from the late Syd Gelmon and Miriam Gelmon At a time when we will be remembering an interview with Martha Blum, who with her and a sister to Larry, Paula and Sherril. She the Holocaust our old friend and UIA fund- husband, Richard and children Alexander and is being honoured by the Friends of the Heb- raiser Dov Harris has written a piece on the Irene have all passed away. rew University of Jerusalem for her work in deplorable conditions that many Holocaust

This page is sponsored by Arnold z’l & Claire Golumbia of Vancouver 12 Holocaust Memorial Service

Elly Gotz is a retired electronics engineer and businessman. Before settling in Toronto, in 1964, Elly lived in Germany, Norway, Zimbabwe and South Africa. Elly was born in Kaunas, Lithuania. In 1941, Lithuania was invaded by Germany. Immediately all Jews were made prisoners in a ghetto. After three years, all the surviving Jews were transported to Concentration Camps in Germany – the men to Dachau and the women to other camps. Elly was liberated from Dachau by the American Army in April 1945. Sixty-five years later, in 2010, Elly received an invitation from Germany to return to Dachau for a commemoration of the liberation of Dachau. On Sunday, April 22nd at 1:30pm, Elly’s talk will start with that moving experience of returning to Dachau and then a look back at the years he spent in Concentration Camps.

Hazzan’s Notes... from page 4 how people best learn. as a Hazzan, I could be chanting these same this new set of graphic symbols together with Since the days of cassette players, all elec- prayers with much more elaborate musical the software engineer who built the underlying tronics such as CD and DVD machines have motifs. When lay leaders prepare to chant program. His contribution was to help me used a small triangle on a button to mean our worship services, one logical question is find existing symbols in a standard computer “Play”, a small square has meant “Stop”, “what are the basic musical motifs that are “character set” that could visually represent and two parallel lines have meant “Pause” as appropriate for chanting a particular section the functions of the musical chant motifs a universal set of symbols. These were the of liturgy?” described above. first three of my 18 graphic symbols, which By restricting my new “Simanei Nusach” People have asked whether this is a new were named “Simanei Nusach” or “Symbols graphical chant symbols to only 18 possible concept, or whether it has been done before. of Chanting”. At the Cantorial School of musical motifs in each section of our prayers, While Trope symbols have existed for over JTS we learned that musical motifs function my music notation is forced to be basic and 1200 years, there was only one attempt in the as “Openers” (or “Incipits”), “Extensions”, simple. These symbols appear over the He- 20th century to develop graphic symbols for “Pausals”, and “Closers” (or “Cadences”). brew text on the computer screen, and also Jewish liturgical chant, and those were not These new graphic symbols represent various over the corresponding music notation in usable for computer software. It has been a types and functions of those chanting motifs. another area of the screen. A “bouncing ball” satisfying part of my recent life-journey to In the various musical modes used to chant highlight moves simultaneously in both the know that learners are finding my new graphic our liturgy, there are musical motifs within Hebrew and the music areas, while the com- chant symbols to be useful. each of the four categories mentioned above. puter chants the prayer in a male or female For instance, there are “Main Openers” voice at any chosen pitch and speed. and “Secondary Openers”, and also “Main The “target audience” for this Tefillah we design and print... Closers” and “Secondary Closers”. Among Trainer software is the adult or youth lay Brochures Newsletters some “Extensions” are “Extensions Upwards leader who wants to learn how to chant Jewish Flyers / Downwards”, “Elaborations Upwards / liturgy. That is the main reason for restricting Posters Downwards”, and “Modulations Upwards / each “Nusach HaT’fillah” or “musical prayer- Presentation Folders Downwards”. Among the “Pausals” there mode” to only 18 musical motifs - offering Laser Cheques Stationery are “Strong Pausals” and “Shorter / Longer more choices could make this software too Annual reports difficult for the average lay learner. Medium Pausals”, and every section of wor- Business Forms Textbooks ship services has a special musical motif for The subject of my Masters Thesis is an Carbonless Forms Family History Books the “Baruch Atah ...” at the end of each prayer. academic analysis of this new symbolic sys- ... to your specifications and satisfaction In our services, you hear simple and basic tem that I developed, to represent the musical chanting mixed with local congregational motifs of our liturgical chant through graphic Tel. 306.955.3373 • Fax. 306.955.5739 melodies. However, by virtue of my training symbols or “Simanim”. I share copyright on 217 Jessop Avenue • Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 1Y3

This page is sponsored by Lorna Bernbaum in honour of her parents Dr. Frank and Frances Bernbaum. This Page is sponsored by Toby Rose, Les Klein, Jonathon, Solomon and Benjamin of Toronto 13 March 23/24 Adar 29/Nisan 1 Clara Filer Apr 18 (26)* Yahrtzeits Nathan Gladstone Mar 23 (29) Aaron Volansky Apr 19 (27)* Clara Lehrer Mar 24 (Nisan 1)* Judel Teitelbaum Apr 19 (27)* March 2/3 Adar 8/9 David Horowitz Mar 25 (2) Dana (Unknown) Mar 2 (8) J.M. Goldenberg Mar 26 (3)* April 20/21 Nisan 28/29 Annie Altschul Mar 2 (8)* Jack Adilman Mar 26 (3) Bertha Roe Apr 20 (28) Fira Rotenberg Mar 2 (8) Abraham Teitelbaum Mar 27 (4)* Keos Lertzman Apr 20 (28)* Saide Chertkow Mar 3 (9) Jacob Barsky Mar 27 (4)* Jacob Morgan Apr 20 (28)* Itta Golumbia Mar 4 (10)* Dorothy Buckwold Mar 27 (4)* Bernice Levitan Apr 20 (28) Gussie Sklar Mar 4 (10)* Kariton Kolominsky Mar 27 (4)* Sarah Mazer Apr 21 (29)* Motas Kleyman Mar 4 (10)* Samuel Brown Mar 28 (5) Mordecha Bernbaum Apr 21 (29)* Fred Shnay Mar 4 (10)* Marco Levy Mar 28 (5)* Jennie Shore Apr 21 (29) Moses Burt Mar 5 (11) Eva Kolominsky Mar 28 (5)* Morris Shechtman Apr 21 (29)* Maurice Mitchell Mar 5 (11) David Shafer Mar 28 (5)* Isadore Aarons Apr 22 (30)* Ann Raisen Mar 6 (12) Bert Frank Mar 29 (6)* William Brandt Apr 22 (30) Samuel Kaplan Mar 8 (14) Samuel Caplan Mar 29 (6)* Isador Sugarman Apr 23 (Iyar 1) Harry Helfgott Mar 8 (14) Dora Morgan Mar 29 (6)* Norbert Meth Apr 23 (1)* Leah Meth Mar 8 (14)* Joe Goldenberg Mar 29 (6) Mrs. Mani Udin Apr 23 (1)* Harry Sarlin Mar 8 (14)* Max Swartz Apr 23 (1)* Raisa Mondros Mar 8 (14) March 30/31 Nisan 7/8 Leonid Flikshteyn Apr 23 (1)* Judah Jaffe Mar 30 (7) Joe Scharfstein Apr 23 (1)* March 9/10 Adar 15/16 Lazer Gersher Mar 30 (7) Nechamah Kaplan Apr 25 (3) Jacob Golumbia Mar 9 (15)* Gerry Rose Mar 31 (8)* A.J. Weiner Mar 10 (16) Rachel Horowitz Apr 1 (9) April 27/28 Iyar 5/6 Yetty Goodman Mar 10 (16) Miriam Shaket Apr 1 (9)* Joseph Germek Apr 27 (5)* Anne Gitlin May 10 (16) Max Goldberg Apr 2 (10) Sheila Bobroff Apr 27 (5)* Lorraine Sklar Mar 12 (18) Sarah Melamede Apr 2 (10) Orville Katz Apr 27 (5)* Lillian Levitt Mar 12 (18) Jolan Zickerman Apr 3 (11) Jack Bermack Apr 27 (5) Keren-Or Wilczek Mar 12 (18) James Greenblat Apr 3 (11) Max Nisenholt Apr 28 (6)* Baby Segal Mar 13 (19) Sarah Livergant Apr 4 (12)* Samuel Fayerman Apr 28 (6)* Tiby L.E. Mathews Mar13 (19) Fanny Filer Apr 4 (12) Rebecca Friedman Apr 30 (8)* Rosie Sellinger Mar 13 (19) Joel Green Apr 4 (12)* Gertrude Cypress May 1 (9) John B. Goodman Mar 13 (19)* Keiva Feldman Apr 4 (12) Max Sharzer May 2 (10)* Ed Vickar Mar 13 (19)* Wolfe Korbin Apr 5 (13)* Mirla Avol May 2 (10)* Malka Schmuck’vich Mar 14 (20) Frank Bernbaum Apr 5 (13)* Sam Sternberg May 3 (11)* Reva Hock Mar 14 (20) Max Reznick Apr 5 (13)* Robert Mitchell May 3 (11)* Anni Leffman Mar 14 (20)* Dorey Heller Apr 5 (13) Harry Steiger Mar 14 (20) May 4/5 Iyar 12/13 Mendel Pepper Mar 15 (21)* April 6/7 Nisan 14/15 Minni Rogers May 4 (12)* Jacob Rabkin Mar 15 (21) Alex Fayerman Apr 6 (14) Edith Koffman May 4 (12)* Gertrude Chertkow Mar 15 (21)* Simcha Scharfstein Apr 6 (14) Tully Conn May 4 (12) Morris Gurstein Mar 15 (21) Edward Baron Apr 6 (14) Aharon Mizrahi May 4 (12) Leopold Neumann Apr 7 (15)* Maurice Handelman May 5 (13) March 16/17 Adar 22/23 Solomon Neumann Apr 7 (15)* Viktor Pollak May 5 (13)* Freda Epstein Mar 17 (23) Heshkel Soffer Apr 7 (15) Sam Sadowsky May 7 (15) Reuben Brant Mar 17 (23) Maynard Gertler Apr 7 (15) Karen Fogel May 7 (15)* Harry Bondar Mar 18 (24) Sara Berenbom Apr 8 (16)* Percy Stollar May 8 (16)* Yenta Shafer Mar 18 (24)* Abraham Bobroff Apr 9 (17)* Sarah Adelman May 8 (16) Harry Aaron Mar 18 (24)* Tamara Avivi Apr 9 (17)* Anton Kamenicky May 8 (16) Goldie Wolfe Mar 18 (24)* Kasiel Winocour Apr 11 (19) Robert Gitlin May 8 (16)* Rebecca Segal Mar 18 (24) David Katz Apr 11 (19)* Helen Singer May 9 (17)* William Sklar Mar 19 (25)* Bud Wasserman Apr 11 (19)* L. Strayer May 10 (18) Fanny Shore Mar 19 (25) Sidney Panar May 10 (18) Max Taylor Mar 20 (26)* April 13/14 Nisan 21/22 Clara Golumbia May 10 (18) Pearl Goodman Mar 21 (27)* Allan Barsky Apr 13 (21) Marion Vickar May 10 (18)* Keile Bodovsky Mar 22 (28) Liza Portnaya Apr 15 (23) Lewis Horwitz May 10 (18) William Katz Mar 22 (28)* Goldie Filer Apr 15 (23)* Solomon Ginsberg Mar 22 (28) Sadie Goldstein Apr 15 (23) Rebecca Forgan Mar 22 (28) Enid Wine Apr 16 (24)* Molly Grotsky Apr 18 (26)*

This page is sponsored by Mirka Pollak 14 Snippets from Israel by Simonne Horwitz In December Dwight and I took my mother as organically and sustainably as to Israel – it was her first trip to the holy land. possible. Unlike many of the Simonne and Yael We spent just over two weeks traveling from Kibbutzim which have moved Eilat and Jordan in the south to the Galil in the away from communalisation north. We spent some unforgettable, moving Ztivon is moving back towards and thought provoking time in the West a communal lifestyle. They Bank. We spent Christmas in Bethlehem and have a large central building traveled to Hebron where we saw the tombs (once used by a neighbouring of Abraham and Sarah; the cenotaphs of Isaac kibbutz manufacturing arms) and Rebecca. In both areas we were able to which they are in the process see the barrier close up, speak to people whose of rehabilitant into a beautiful lives were influenced in so many ways by its communal gathering place. The existence and listen to the both the stories of have a communal pantry with hardship and the heartfelt wishes for peace organic foods and farm their from ordinary Palestinians. We also saw first own chickens. Yael has begun a hand, one of the biggest obstacles to peace, clothing exchange ‘shop’ where the settlements which continue to spring up people bring in cloths they might around the West Bank. We walked though a be tired of wearing and swop market in Hebron where settlers living above them for something else or take something Yishay, Yael and Simonne the market continually pelt shopkeepers with t h e y n e e d rocks, garbage and verbal abuse. Even the second hand makeshift tarpaulins which were erected by in exchange the shopkeepers have not been sufficient and for a donation. the onslaught from the settlers in this clearly The children demarcated Palestinian territory has driven o n t h e many of the shops out of business – this is kibbutz are clearly not a recipe for peace. communally On the more positive side we were lucky h o m e enough to spend time with Shirley and meet s c h o o l e d Nadav (Nim was working hard). Shirley and and some of Shirley, Nadav and Sim Nim are such wonderful parents and Nadav the kibbutz must be one of the happiest little ones we have members live by the Orthodox – men ever met (see photo). Shirley and Nim are in large Yurt’s tents in the and women – no chairs, looking to move into a bigger place because in forest region. potatoes or insults were Shirley’s words “even a little baby comes with Finally on Rosh Chodesh hurled over the barrier; so much stuff!” although I must say Nadav is Tevet I was privileged to once the police sent to protect not so ‘little’ – perhaps they will send him to again join the Women of the WOW looked bored and us to train for the Riders/ Blades when he is Wall for the early morning we could focus on our a little older. Shacharit service. This year prayers and fill them with As always we spent some wonderful time was an wonderful experience the kavanah they deserve. in the North with Yael and Yishay. They are in a different way to my still living on Kibbutz Ztivon. It’s a fascinating previous experiences with Simonne with Women of the Wall place where the 20 resident families are living WOW. We were ignored

March 7th

Come join us for Megilla and Graggers

crazy carnival with prizes galore and food to follow!!!

Congratulation to the JSA Soccer team “The * There will be no Hebrew School Screaming Chickens” for winning their first 2 that day. games of the season. Go Chickens!!!

This page is sponsored by Elizabeth Brewster 15 March 2012 • Adar/Nisan 5772 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 Adar 7 2 Adar 8 3 Adar 9 Shabbat Zakhor TETZAVEH Guest: Eli Rubinstein *June Avivi 10PM Screaming Chicken soccer game

4 Adar 10 5 Adar 11 6 Adar 12 7 Adar 13 8 Adar 14 9 Adar 15 10 Adar 16 Hamentashen Baking 4:30 - 7:15PM 1:00- 8:00PM Purim party 8PM - KI TISSA Bee - 1 pm Dr. Yoram Peri (from work bee Visiting Rabbi Charles 10AM - Rabbi Arian Israel) speaking on Arian will lead services will lead services and a campus learning session during Purim Carnival *Marsha Scharfstein lunch *Heather Fenyesf Megillah Reading - 6 pm Adults Purim Party 8 pm

11 Adar 17 12 Adar 18 13 Adar 19 14 Adar 20 15 Adar 21 16 Adar 22 17 Adar 23 Veggie Cutting Silver Spoon Shabbat Parah Silver Spoon Wine & Cheese VAYAKHEL-PEKUDEI 11 a.m. - JCC Ticket Sale & Reception Sheraton Cavalier *Simonne Horwitz 5:30 – 7 p.m.

18 Adar 24 19 Adar 25 20 Adar 26 21 Adar 27 22 Adar 28 23 Adar 29 24 Nisan 1 10AM Breakfast club “The Service 6 pm Rosh Hodesh Nisan Loners” Shabbat Hahodesh 9:30PM Screaming VAYIKRA Chickens soccer game *Jan Gitlin 8PM Young Adults bowling night

25 Nisan 2 26 Nisan 3 27 Nisan 4 28 Nisan 5 29 Nisan 6 30 Nisan 7 31 Nisan 8 7PM Holy Pan cooking Board Meeting Shabbat HaGadol class 7 PM TZAV

*Grant Scharfstein

April 2012 • Nisan/Iyar 5772 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 Nisan 9 2 Nisan 10 3 Nisan 11 4 Nisan 12 5 Nisan 13 6 Nisan 14 7 Nisan 15 10AM Breakfast club Hebrew School Seder Erev Pesah First Day Pesah 4:15 PM Fast of Firstborn Second Pesah Seder FIrst Pesah Seder Begin Counting Omer

*Michael Gertler

8 Nisan 16 9 Nisan 17 10 Nisan 18 11 Nisan 19 12 Nisan 20 13 Nisan 21 14 Nisan 22 Seventh Day Pesah Eighth Day Pesah Hadassah-WIZO Service - 8 pm Yizkor Pesach Tea 2 – 4 p.m *David Katzman *Steven Goluboff

15 Nisan 23 16 Nisan 24 17 Nisan 25 18 Nisan 26 19 Nisan 27 20 Nisan 28 21 Nisan 29 Board Meeting Holocaust Student Holocaust Student Birkat Hahodesh 1:00 - 8:00PM Holocaust Presentations Presentations Memorial work bee SHEMINI *Marsha Scharfstein

22 Nisan 30 23 Iyar 1 24 Iyar 2 25 Iyar 3 26 Iyar 4 27 Iyar 5 28 Iyar 6 Holocaust Memorial Service - 6 pm TAZRIA-METZORA Service *Franci Holtslander 1:30 PM 7PM Danny Robas Yom Ha’atzma’ut concert

29 Iyar 7 30 Iyar 8 7PM Holy Pan

* Bema Roster This page is sponsored by B’nai Brith Lodge #739