P6 P12 An eye-opening Israel mission • 6 P15 A diversity of Chanukah traditions • 12 Profile of poet Ellen Jaffe • 15 I I
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Hamilton Jewish NThe voice ofe Jewishw Hamilton e s After Pittsburgh COMMUNITY RECEIVES AN OUTPOURING OF SUPPORT Hundreds gather in grief and solidarity for a multi-faith vigil honouring those murdered at Pittsburgh synagogue
STORY BY WENDY SCHNEIDER, THE HAMILTON JEWISH NEWS
HEY CAME FROM ALL walks of life. T Politicians, clergy, and ordinary citizens of all faiths joined their Jewish brothers and sisters in grief and solidarity at a multi-faith vigil held at Temple Anshe Sholom on Oct. 30. The event was held in response to the horrific attack that took place at Pittsburgh's Tree of Life Synagogue a few days earlier. Several speakers addressed an overflow crowd of an estimated 600 people, on the themes of inclusion, support and defiance against the forces of hate and intolerance. The vigil, presented by the Hamilton Jewish Federation and the city's three main syna- gogues, was one of hundreds that took place through- PHOTO: WENDYSCHNEIDER, HAMILTON JEWISH NEWS Hundreds gathered in soidarity and support of Hamilton's Jewish community at a multi-faith vigil held at Temple out North America that week. Anshe Sholom following the shooting at Pittsburgh's Tree of Life Synagogue. HUNDREDS GATHER CONTINUES ON P4
ISRAEL'S RESILIENCE Israel is widely recognized as one of the Jewish funeral most creative and innovative countries in homes are under a the world, but the never-ending threat of great deal of pressure terror and war is testing the resiliency of today.” Israelis living on the Gaza border. ‘The‘ United Hebrew Memorial JACKI LEVIN REPORTS: P6 Chapel has a long tradition of providing the ultimate service. STEVE ARNOLD COVERS SOUTHERN RESIDENT'S HAMILTON APPEARANCE: P14 STEVEN BROCK REPORTS: P9 PHOTOCOURTESY OF THE JEWISH NATIONAL FUND Kibbutz Nahal Oz resident Yael Raz Lachyani spoke to a Hamilton audience about the resilience of communities living on Gaza border. a l n e ne PM Agreement # 40007180
All of us at the Hamilton Jewish Federation extend to you and your loved ones best wishes for a Happy Chanukah.
JEWISHHAMILTON.ORG Anti-Semitism is a big deal, not because it's built on belief in absurdities and EDITORIAL outright lies, but because anti-Semitism can become lethal." COLLEEN DECKER
GUEST EDITORIAL GRIEF, RESILIENCE, AND HOPE
EIGHTY YEARS ago, on the evening Fowler and Associates of November 9, 1938, Nazis ransacked Jewish homes, shattered the store- TD Wealth Private Investment Advice fronts of Jewish-owned businesses, Complete Investment and Estate Planning and destroyed synagogues across Germany in a deadly attack against European Jews that marked the begin- ning of history’s darkest chapter: the Holocaust. Years ago, I stood in a cold, dark Colleen Decker, Manager of museum in the middle of Washington Strategic Communications at CIJA D.C. and took it all in. Filled with sudden, profound grief, and with tears streaming, I finally began to under- stand the horror that began that dreadful November night. And, I will never forget it. Standing in the United States Holocaust Museum, surrounded by monuments and archives that depict the greatest moments in American history, I was struck by the realization that, although the atrocities of the Holocaust had not occurred in the U.S., there they were on full dis- play in the heart of the U.S. capital. After working in the Jewish commu- nity for more than a decade, I understand why. And, as witnesses to the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S. history, the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting, I hope the rest of the world understands too. Anti-Semitism is a big deal. Not because it’s discriminatory or offen- sive, although it’s certainly both. Not even because it is built on belief in absurdities and outright lies. No, anti-Semitism is a big deal – with con- sequences far beyond the Jewish community – because anti-Semitism can become lethal. We’ve seen it time and time again – in Buenos Aires in 1994, in Mumbai in 2008, in Paris in 2015, and now in Pittsburgh in 2018. The world’s oldest hatred is on the rise globally, and that should give us pause. We are not immune in this beautiful country. In fact, accord- ing to Statistics Canada, the Jewish community remains the most-tar- Proudly serving the Greater geted religious minority in the country. Hamilton Area since1957 So, what’s the solution? First, whether it’s halfway around the world, just south of the border, or right here at home, we cannot allow anti-Semitism to permeate to the mainstream. That is why the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) is advocating for a national policy for online hate that includes the adop- tion of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's (IHRA) working definition of anti-Semitism. And, second, we must take security seriously. We are fortunate to have politicians who speak out strongly against these hateful acts and brave law enforcement officers who willingly put their lives on the line, sometimes paying the ultimate price, to protect us. But that’s not enough. We must do more. Eleven innocent people died in the Tree of Life Synagogue shooting. That’s far too many, and yet that number could have been much higher. Though no amount of training can possibly guarantee safety during hor- rendous attacks, like the one in Pittsburgh, by preparing ourselves we can mitigate some of the damage and save some lives, and that’s some- thing. This is why CIJA has a National Community Security Program (NCSP) that provides dedicated, responsive, and sustained security sup- port and offers free training to educate community members about how to detect and prevent threats and how to manage crisis response. hamiltonjewishnews.com I took a lot away from my visit to Washington all those years ago, but “Experience the trust, dependability and accountability that over 50 years has provided at any of the Richter Group stores” nothing stood out to me more than the inspirational strength and resil- ience of the Jewish community. Though previously afflicted in ways so horrible that most people – before seeing it with their own eyes, as I did that day – simply cannot imagine it, the community thrives today in countries all around the world. It is remarkable. I was reminded of that resilience again after the attack in Pittsburgh, as I witnessed thousands of community members unite in towns and Hamilton Hyundai Eastgate Ford Bay King Chrysler cities across the country to remember the victims and their families, to 324 Parkdale Ave N 350 Parkdale Ave N 55 Rymal Road ,Hamilton mourn the senseless loss of life – and to sing. 905 545 5150 905 547 3211 905 383 7700 www.hamiltonhyundai. www.eastgateford.com www.bayking.ca As the many voices in the crowd rang out together as one, singing Oseh Shalom Bimromav, hope woke within me. Closing my eyes, I could hear a still, small voice within me. The same voice I first heard in
HAMILTON JEWISH NEWS DECEMBER • • 2018 Washington. The one I know was mirrored by everyone in the crowd. It was crying out, “Never Again.” 2 or legalpurposes reject any contributionforbrevity the righttoedit, condenseor issue. This newspaperreserves by thedeadline indicated ineach submissions mustbeforwarded or guesteditorials. Written to contributeletters, articles thecommunitymembers of The Hamilton Jewish Newsinvites EDITORIAL POLICY CIRCULATION 2,000 is News Jewish Hamilton The Agreement #40007180 1E6 L8S ON Hamilton, W. St. 1605 Main CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO: PLEASE RETURNUNDELIVERABLE Hamilton Jewish Federation the by funded and Inc. News Jewish Hamilton by year HJN PHOTO: WENDY SCHNEIDER, HAMILTON JEWISH NEWS
Jewish Life Jewish Profile Israel Feature Chanukah Feature Voices News Federation News Local Cover Story 2 Editorial DEPARTMENTS PRESERVING JEWISH MEMORY 12 9
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14 DECEMBER 2018 THE WOMEN'S MARCH How community families celebrate the holiday the celebrate families community How A TRADITION OF CARING A TRADITION LOCAL NEWS LOCAL CHANUKAH TRADITIONS CHANUKAH HOLIDAY FEATURE over by done presides work UHMC holy Dan Levy FEATURE Joy Pekar on why won't she marching be VOICES returns Grow committee The Hamilton WELCOMING NEWCOMERS 15 7,8 9
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6,10,11,20 16-19 12,13 5 4 Hamilton Jewish FederationHamilton Jewish ASSISTANT EDITOR Wendy Schneider EDITOR PUBLISHER 905-628-0058 [email protected] CONTACT INFORMATION Celia Rothenberg Wade Hemsworth Aviva Boxer HJN ADVISORYBOARD Phyllis Shragge Simone Rotstein, Ben Shragge, Abigail Cukier, Barry Rosen, Steve Arnold, Steven Brock, HJN Ben Shragge DIGITAL EDITOR Abigail Cukier CONTRIBUTORS
• FEBRUARY ISSUE • • • COMING UP
Deadline forbookingadspace- Deadline forreceiving editorial Deadline forreceiving adcopy- Estimated date of arrival-Estimated date of
Jan. 15, 2019 copy - Jan. 23, 2019 Feb. 4, 2019 Feb. 26, 2019 Laura Wolfson Peter Smurlick Sandee Smordin Josh Rauchwerger Arie Pekar Alice Mendelson Ben Levitt Larry Levin Lester Krames Daniel Hershkowitz Gerald Fisher Howard Eisenberg Mike Dressler Janis Criger BOARD MEMBERS Gustavo Rymberg CEO Jacki Levin PRESIDENT HAMILTONFEDERATION JEWISH of their photographs. of their photographs. 20,000 than more digitzed and Europe Eastern and Central in living still survivors 1,200 Holocaust of histories oral the collected has Centropa, Serotta's institute, oncommemoration Nov. 11. Hamilton's Kristallnacht at keynote presentation following his members community with in conversation left, Ed Serotta, filmmaker, and photographer Journalist,
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3 HAMILTON JEWISH NEWS • DECEMBER 2018 • hamiltonjewishnews.com COVER It was comforting to see the diversity in the audience, reinforcing the fact that in the STORY struggle against hatred there is more that unites us than divides us." DR. DANIEL KOLLEK COMMUNITY VIGIL BRINGS OUT HUNDREDS CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE Hillel and frequent contributer Among those bringing words to spoken word poetry events, Ner Tamid of solidarity and comfort from Mikanovsky told the HJN that vis- Hamilton's multi-faith community ualizing her own synagogue with In every synagogue you visit across the country were Imam Abdullah Hatia from all the power cut off but for the There is a light, fixed in the front above the ark where all the Halton Islamic Association, glow of the eternal light helped set eyes can meet it. Rev. Linda Thomson from the the scene from which she devel- Canadian Unitarian Council, oped her poem. "I was reminded Ner tamid: The everlasting light. Rev. David Cummings from the of the attacks in Charleston and Hamilton Christian Fellowship, Quebec City," she wrote, "but I The flame, the bulb, which never ceases to glow. and Dr. Mani Subramanian from never understood the pain of those A light to represent the presence of God in this place. the Hamilton Hindu Samaj. communities until today. That’s Mayor Fred Eisenberger spoke why I wanted to spread a message Even in power failure—Ner Tamid has its own source. words of sympathy on behalf of of unity in my poem." PHOTOCOURTESY OF DANIELLA MIKANOVSKY McMaster student Daniel- the eternal flame never goes dark, even when darkness the City of Hamilton. Rabbi Lavery-Yisraeli's la Mikanovsky's poem Ner Tamid enters this place. Representing Hamilton's Jewish remarks, reprinted days later in struck a resonant chord. community were Rabbis Jordan the Hamilton Spectator, were Bullets ricochet past men, women and children, Cohen, Hillel Lavery-Yisraeli and especially compelling, drawing email to the HJN she wrote that backs turned as they face the Lord. Aaron Selevan — Rabbi Daniel spontaneous applause when he she felt moved by the communi- Who dare bring this darkness? Green was on a plane home from said that fear of violence should ty's response to the violence in Who dare attack these souls in prayer? Israel during the vigil —and not deter Jews from "increasing Pittsburgh. In Charleston, Quebec City, and now Pittsburgh. Hamilton Jewish Federation pres- our efforts to do the right thing, "The environment was one of Who dare disturb these souls in prayer? ident Jacki Levin. The program because helping people escape warmth, inclusivity and solidar- was punctuated with several oppression and danger is funda- ity," she wrote. "I am proud of the Hatred. emotional high points — Cantor mental to our Torah," and moments work that the Hamilton Jewish Blind, misunderstanding, Paula Baruch's and Rabbi Lavery- later when he vowed that "We will Federation did to so quickly and I’d-rather-shoot-you-than-get-to-know-you-hatred. Yisraeli's singing of liturgical continue attending synagogue and effectively plan this vigil." Breeding in the darkest corners of our society prayers and Leonard Cohen's showing the hateful that we will Dr. Daniel Kollek echoed her Feeding on the distances between us, conspiracies, and "If It Be Your Will", with musi- not be discouraged, lose our dig- comments when he wrote, "It was lies as old as time. cal accompaniment by Jordan nity, or be terrified. Inspired and comforting to see the diversity in Abraham and signing by local encouraged, we will go forth from the audience, reinforcing the fact This hatred teacher of the deaf, Dennis Nash, our places of worship and con- that in the struggle against hatred Armed with an AR15 and second year McMaster stu- tinue mending the world." there is more that unites us than Shouting words nearly as painful as his bullets dent Daniella Mikanovsky's rec- Judy Rochwerg was among the divides us." Brought darkness to this holy place. itation of her poem, "Ner Tamid". hundreds of community mem- But in this darkness, An active member of McMaster bers who attended the event. In an Ner Tamid, the eternal light Flickers through. Barely tearing through smoke and screams… FROM OUR Ner Tamid stays alive. Just as we, brothers and sisters — regardless of who you HEARTS TO worship in your holy space We stay alive. THEIRS Our eternal flame will not be extinguished Jacques Schoenberg travels to Our fight will never falter. Pittsburgh regularly for business, Our Ner Tamid cannot go dark until we have banished but his most recent trip had an the darkness added significance. In anticipation Keep the light burning. of his early November visit, Keep the flame alive. Schoenberg approached Hamilton Jewish Federation CEO Gustavo As bullets of rain hit our fiery souls Rymberg with an offer to bring a We’ll hiss and sputter but never, ever die. message of love and support from If we stand together Hamilton to the Pittsburgh Jewish As we are here tonight community. On Nov. 8, Schoenberg Not just in times of mourning hand-delivered an envelope on But always, forever behalf of the Hamilton Jewish Federation and the Jewish National The combined light of our souls
PHOTOCOURTESY OF JACQUES SCHOENBERG Fund to the offices of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh. Will finally be enough. From there, his customer drove Schoenberg over to the Tree of Life Synagogue. "It was extremely painful being there, but consoling at the same time." wrote Schoenberg in an email to the HJN. "It was nice to see so many inter-faith memorials at the shul and the Daniella Mikanovsky support of that community" At the same time, he continued, visiting the memorial at the synagogue affected him "the same way that I felt when I saw Auschwitz 20 years ago." hamiltonjewishnews.com
HAPPY TO YOU AND CHANUKAH YOUR FAMILY. HAMILTON JEWISH NEWS DECEMBER • • 2018
4 LOCAL Jewish summer camp provided a unique forum to deepen my NEWS understanding of my Jewish identity." LAURA WALTMAN
GROW HAMILTON RETURNS WELCOMING NEWCOMERS TO OUR COMMUNITY BY MICHELLE GOLD, HAMILTON JEWISH FEDERATION GROW HAMILTON COMMITEE
OVER THE PAST two years, We are also reaching out to com- Hamilton Jewish News profiled munity members to request your several well-known Jewish fami- feedback and involvement. lies in our community who immi- • If you’ve had experience with grated here as newcomers, in years relocating in the past, please share past. Their stories were illuminat- with the committee what were ing— they shared their reasons for your needs as a newcomer in a emigrating, challenges they en- community? Was there some- countered, and reflected on the thing in particular that made you process of settling into their new feel welcome? What would have RAMAH CAMP COURTESY PHOTO adopted town. Today, Hamilton assisted you in settling into that COMING TO JHAMILTON is receiving increasing inquiries was not readily available? from people considering a move to • If you provide a program or our Jewish community. service in our community that OVERNIGHT JEWISH CAMP FAIR The Hamilton Jewish Federation can benefit people considering has recently re-established its Hamilton, or those who are new A Chanukah activity for the whole family Grow Hamilton Committee, whose arrivals: BY LAURA WALTMAN, HAMILTON JEWISH mandate is to coordinate access • Please contact the committee FEDERATION EDUCATION COMMITTEE experience for children in our community. This to information for those consider- to identify your program or service, is why I'm so excited about the upcoming first ing a move, as well as to warmly so that we can include this infor- I VAGU ELY remember my first summer at annual Overnight Jewish Camp Fair that's being welcome newcomers to our com- mation in our directory. Jewish overnight camp. I was eight years old organized by the Hamilton Jewish Federation munity. Our role will be to serve • Would you be willing to and spending the month of July on my own for at J Hamilton, 1605 Main St. W. in Hamilton, on as a first point of contact. To invite newcomers to your home the first time ever. I remember Shabbat prayers Dec. 2 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The camp fair will achieve our goal, we are starting for Shabbat dinner, or offer to meet overlooking the waterfront on Friday nights. I have representatives from many of the Jewish by developing a compendium of someone new for coffee? Please remember Maccabiah (colour wars) and the ex- summer camps across Ontario that represent information. We want to gather contact the committee and let us citement of the whole camp reaching a feverish the entire spectrum of Jewish culture and iden- information on who we can refer know. pitch. I remember the loud cheering of all of the tity. As part of the fair, there will be a variety of inquiries to for information on • Do you know anyone who is campers in the chadar ochel (dining hall). I re- Chanukah-themed activities organized and led housing, schools and education, considering moving to Hamilton, member crying with my friends as we left camp by the camps, as well as soofganiyot (Israeli-style religious organizations, health ser- or has recently arrived? If so, and headed home for the new school year. All jelly donuts) and refreshments. In addition to vices, and business connectors in please contact the committee. are memories that will stay with me for a life- the overnight camps, Camp Kadimah, our local our community. We are also seek- We’d like to begin right away to time. These summers were formative years for Jewish day camp will also be present. Finally, ing to develop a list of friendly res- provide information and make me; all of them from my first year as a camper to the Hamilton Jewish Federation will be raffling idents, who can initiate social connections within our Jewish my last year on staff as the "Camp Mom". Woven off prizes to assist with the tuition for those who networking in the Jewish com- community that are welcoming seamlessly into all of these memories was the register for the summer at a Jewish overnight munity for newcomers. These are and helpful. strong sense of Jewish values and tradition. camp. just preliminary activities of what Laura Wolfson, Grow Hamilton Jewish summer camp provided a unique I sincerely hope that the community will join we envision becoming a broader committee chair, can be reached at forum to deepen my understanding of my Jewish me in the goal of sending more Jewish children and more extended reach to grow [email protected] or by identity, at times very deliberate and other times to Jewish summer camps this summer, and I Jewish Hamilton over time. leaving a message at 905-541-2889. much more subtle. It is an extremely important look forward to seeing you all at the camp fair. HAMILTON JEWISH NEWS DECEMBER • hamiltonjewishnews.com • 2018
5 FED Israelis don't live in fear. They live vibrant, full lives, but there is always NEWS the need to think about security." JACKI LEVIN A MODEL OF INNOVATION AND RESILIENCE Jewish Federation president Jacki Levin Hamilton participants reports on her recent mission to Israel on a recent Canadian Jewish Federation BY JACKI LEVIN, SPECIAL TO THE HAMILTON JEWISH NEWS mission to Israel included (l to r) I HAVE TOURED much of Israel, that our community supports pro- Hamilton Jewish but had never participated in a jects that help children, immi- Federation CEO mission until this past October, grants, the poor and the sick Gustavo Rymberg, when my husband, and I, together — projects that are vital to the Federation president with Federation CEO Gustavo growth of Israel. Jacki Levin and Rymberg, took part in a Canadian Our group of 85 Canadians spent Community Campaign mission to Israel arranged by Shabbat in Jerusalem, joining up co-chair Larry Levin. the Jewish Federations of North with 1,000 participants of other America (JFNA). The mission JFNA missions for a Kabbalatt was followed immediately by the Shabbat ceremony outside the Old annual JFNA General Assembly City walls. From there, we walked (GA) which was held this year in to the Western Wall. Being among Tel Aviv to celebrate Israel’s 70th thousands of Jews who had gath- Anniversary. Both experiences ered there to welcome the Sabbath were overwhelming in what we was a very emotional experience. saw and learned about Israel's The most interesting part of the PHOTOCOURTESY JACKI LEVIN challenges, strengths and how the mission was visiting Israeli com- country is exporting its expertise munities on the Gaza border. At a warfare. Many Israeli communi- like balloons and kites are now organizations constantly visiting in so many fields to the rest of the small memorial park located just ties are located less than one kilo- the things that they have learned the country to see this, partnering world. 800 metres from Gaza City, dedi- metre from Gaza City, and Hamas to fear. The expertise of the ITC is with Israel and purchasing Israeli We began our mission in the cated to the soldiers killed in the has recently started using loud- exported all over the world when companies and inventions. The Upper Galilee where we toured the 1950s while fighting Fedayeen speakers throughout the night needed and they recently sent a towers in the cities are ultra-mod- area and visited projects funded terrorists, we were briefed by an with terrifying messages in team to Pittsburgh after the syna- ern. New skyscrapers are going up by Canadian federations. We trav- IDF soldier on the ways in which Hebrew like “We will kill you. We gogue shooting. all the time and the Tel Aviv sky- elled to Tzfat, where we learned the Israeli army has responded will rape your women.” It is espe- The mission provided us with a line is breathtaking. Israel had about its history as a centre of to constantly changing modes cially terrifying for children to wonderful opportunity to see and more tourists this year than it has Kabbalah and how the city was of attack from Gaza. We learned hear these messages, preventing experience things that we couldn’t ever had. And, of course, the food levelled by an earthquake in 1837. how Israel has responded to each them from sleep. have done on our own and we and wine are outstanding. In Metulla, we visited the Canada new form of attack with charac- In Sderot, a community of about learned a lot. The JFNA General Assembly Centre, home to Israel's larg- teristic innovation. In response 25,000 in the western Negev less Some overall impressions of began in Tel Aviv following the est ice-skating rink and funded to rocket launches, Israel devel- than a mile from Gaza, we learned amazing Israel: Israelis don’t live mission. The theme of the GA was by Canadian Jewish federations, oped the Iron Dome. To stop infil- about the Israel Trauma Coalition in fear. They live vibrant, full lives. “We Need to Talk” and focussed including our own. Canadian tration through tunnels, Israel is (ITC), which works with residents but there is always the need to be on the differing views of Israeli federations also funded a chil- in the process of building a 100 ft. of Sderot and surrounding com- concerned about security. On kib- and diaspora Jews. It was fascinat- dren’s playground at Kibbutz K’far deep underground wall, studded munities to help them cope with butzim, as in large Tel Aviv apart- ing, informative, often emotional Giladi, and an innovative learn- with sensors that can detect any the trauma of the situation. We ment buildings supported by the and always overwhelming — but ing program developed at Tel Hai movement. With that avenue clos- also heard from therapists who government, people are adding that is for another article that will College for elementary students. ing, Hamas has resorted to send- are using small animals to pro- safe rooms — safe from rockets appear in the next issue of the HJN. Some people are under the mis- ing incendiary balloons and kites, vide nonverbal treatment for chil- and from earthquakes. taken impression that money which the army is responding to dren suffering from trauma. One The technology boom in Israel is raised by Federation goes to the by using drones. Now Hamas is of the most poignant observations incredible. There are delegations Israeli government. The truth is using a new tactic — psychological is how things that children love, from countries and multi-national
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6 The persistence of anti-Semitism is no excuse for fatalism. VOICES Polio exists too." BEN SHRAGGE GROGGERS FOR PITTSBURGH
the Temple of Artemis solely to paint over old-fashioned religious storming a fortress (a synagogue popular anti-Semitism is a world achieve infamy, the authorities hatred with a veneer of pseudo- with open doors) to strike down apart from today’s North America. responded by forbidding men- scientific racism. the forces of evil (a family physi- “The arc of the moral universe tion of his name under penalty of Anti-Semitism is an anach- cian, two developmentally disa- is long, but it bends toward jus- death. ronistic term, falsely implying bled brothers, a little league coach tice,” said Martin Luther King Jr., The names Herostratus and that there’s a “semitism” (a racial . . .). invoking the progressive thrust BEN SHRAGGE Haman live on, but the impulse essence, as opposed to a love of Sartre recounts a classmate of the Bible. Taking the long behind the ban, and the grog- “ch” sounds, shared by speak- who blames his failure to pass view, perhaps the arc is bending AFTER THE October 27 attack ger, should be felt today. Namely, ers of Semitic languages: Jews, an exam on a Jew who passed in in the direction of a messianic that left 11 dead, a top story in we should deny the weekly mass Arabs, Assyrians, and Ethiopians) his place: “Far from experience era in which mass shooters beat the New York Times was head- shooters (and bombers) the rec- to be against. But while the producing his idea of the Jew, it their AR-15s into ploughshares; lined “Who Is
THIS YEAR'S WOMEN'S MARCH: WHY I WON'T BE MARCHING
women's rights. Jews are the number one target 2017 Women's March stated that If having a voice that stands up Did you know that in the of religious based hate crimes in American Muslims shouldn’t against hate, and stands up for “Unity Principles” of the wom- both Canada and the U.S. In the “humanize” Israelis. Who on the all women's rights matters to en’s march organization “Black U.S Jews represent less than two left stood up to point out to her you then when it comes time to women, Native women, poor per cent of the total population that Israelis are in fact human! march in a women's march, as women, immigrant women, dis- yet are the target of more than 50 Some would argue that anti-Sem- one is being planned for Jan. 2019, abled women, Muslim women, per cent of the hate crime there. itism aims to dehumanizing Jews please consider not marching in JOY PEKAR lesbian queer and trans women” In Canada Jews represent roughly until their murder makes sense. the Women's March. are all specifically identified but one per cent of the population and So, what do these two things As for me, I have donated my AT THE TIME of the first Jewish women are not? Yet, anti- over 50 per cent of religious based (anti-Semitism and the women's pink hats so that those in need can women's march, we didn't know Semitic attacks account for more hate crimes, and in some years, march) even have to do with each be warm this winter. And I'll keep the details of those who than half of all hate crimes in both the greatest victims of hate crimes other? Why does it matter? looking for a leader who will fight organized it. Like so many others, Canada and the U.S. (Statistics for any reason. It matters because two years for my rights. My right to exist, my I sewed my pink hats, shared Canada, Canadian Centre for Up until last week, there were ago, women needed a voice to right to be safe, my right to equal them with friends and wore them Justice Statistics, Incident-based no hashtags, no articles, no men- start something so important, pay, my right to proper health with pride. But now we know, Uniform Crime Reporting Survey) tion at all of the number one vic- but now, women need a new care. A leader who values me for and if you don't yet know, then It is time to for everyone to start tims of hate crimes in North voice. One that does not ques- all that I am. For being a woman. please read, because you need to to really understand anti-Sem- America. It is time for us all to tion if Israelis are humans. One And a Jew. know. itism. Anti-Semitism is not just understand that anti-Semitism that does not compare Jews to ter- It is time to stand up for wom- right-wing extremism. Anti- lives not only on the right, but mites, or support those who do. en's rights. And we probably do Semitism is so pervasive that deeply in the left of the political One that does not believe it is OK Joy Pekar lives in Hamilton with need a women's march to help before the Tree of Life Synagogue spectrum in a way that no one is to praise terrorists or Hitler, as her husband and children. She do that. But we don't just need to massacre in Pittsburgh on Oct.27, talking about, but it is time to start Farakhan did in a 1984 speech. It hopes the world her children stand up for some women's rights. it didn't even warrant dialogue talking about. matters because we need a voice inherit will better than the world We need to stand up for all wom- in mainstream media, on univer- In September, Linda Sarsour, for all women's rights. Who will today and tries to do her part to en's rights ... including Jewish sity campuses, or on social media. one of the main leaders of the we allow to speak on our behalf? make that happen.
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facebook.com/HamiltonJewishNews twitter.com/HamJewishNews HAMILTON JEWISH NEWS DECEMBER • • 2018 Partner Agency www.peerlesstravel.com 7 Both physically and mentally, I astonished myself חג BYRNE-WOLFSON שמחVOICES on what I could do on this trip." HANNAH HOW DO WE SAY GOODBYE? Carol Krames retiring after Carol Krames is 43 years at the helm of retiring after 43 Jewish Social Services years at Hamiton Jewish Social Services. BY SUSAN ROTH חגחנוכה CAROL KRAMES, executive director of Hamilton Jewish Social Services recently announced that she will be retiring in June 2019. Born and raised cheerfully and in Philadelphia, Krames and her husband Lester שמח mindfully. She moved to Canada in 1969. assesses each May this holiday season bring Carol started working as a social worker at the individual’s cur- Hamilton Jewish Federation in 1976, then located peace, health and happiness rent situation at the old Jewish Community Centre on Delaware throughout the coming year. and understands
Avenue. She worked with JCC director Sam KRAMES LESTER PHOTO: what it means to Brownstone and Federation executive director Sam be facing prob- Chag Chanukah Sameach! Soifer. It wasn’t until 2001, that Hamilton Jewish lems; whether they be financial, emotional, physi- Social Services became a separate agency and Carol cal or psychological. Carol truly cares that someone has been at its head since. ~ Moishe, Eli & Gabe Chaimovitz & their families ~ is having trouble paying their hydro bill or that I first met Carol in 1999, in the dingy basement someone’s spouse lost their job. What I have learned of a Kiev hotel on a UJA Mission to Kiev and Israel. about Carol is she finds the good in every soul and Together with our husbands, we were sorting You’ll find it here! then she finds it easy to want to help them. clothes donated by our community that would be Hamilton East Hamilton Mountain How do we say goodbye, when Carol has been distributed to the needy. We laughed a lot and con- 1104 Barton St. E. 1361 Rymal Rd. E. such a powerful and loved figure at Jewish Social nected immediately. Right from my initial encoun- 905.545.5585 905.388.0784 Services. The truth is that in Carol’s case we will ter, it was very clear who Carol is. Her essence is not say goodbye. Instead, we will say L’hitraot — TOOLS & MACHINERY kindness and generosity. Whether it’s a family Hebrew for "see you later." We are positive that member, a client, a friend, or a colleague, her love for Carol will continue to be a part of the JSS family. TEGSTOOLS.COM humanity permeates everything she does. She already has plans for how she can volunteer her During her 43 years at Hamilton Jewish Social services to the agency. She can’t let go completely Services, Carol was an integral part of every aspect and neither can we. of the agency. Seeing Carol operate at JSS was like watching the energizer bunny moving in perpetual Susan Roth is president of Hamilton Jewish Social motion from room to room. She greets participants Services.
MY ISRAEL EXPERIENCE
BY HANNAH BYRNE-WOLFSON TEEN TRIPS TO Israel are often described as ‘the trip of a lifetime’. Hannah Byrne- Mine was certainly no exception. Wolfson is a Grade 12 I learned so much from this expe- student at Westmount rience, and the following is just a Secondary School. small sample. 1. I am stronger than I think. Both physically and mentally, I learn a bit about each astonished myself with what I other. Later that day, I could do this trip. Whether it was played chess with a man climbing a mountain or pulling who spoke only Hebrew, myself out of a homesick stretch, and even though we I have more fortitude than I could PHOTO: WENDYSCHNEIDER, HJN could rarely understand have imagined. the other, we still both had fun. It 2. Israel is a much more compli- group kid, but with this crazy even turned out he was an interna- cated place than I will ever know. group of 39 American Jewish tional chess champion (so I didn’t We want to see the sides of it that teens (and six Israelis), I found my stand a chance!) are magical and wonderful, but Jewish youth community. I had so 8. I am more adaptable than I not all of it is like that. Being at the many opportunities within it — I think. I had fun living out of a Kotel was one of the most amaz- got to lead services in Jerusalem, suitcase and lugging everything ing experiences I’ve ever had, but and sing Hatikvah in the Israeli around every few days because it the intrinsic sexism in the politics Independence Hall. I had an abso- was well worth it. surrounding its control can make lute blast with this group, and I’m 9. Israel really is magical. It has it an uncomfortable site for liberal going to miss them so much. a complicated past, but there were Jews. 6. It’s not that hard to make a dif- so many sites where I felt a connec- Charred Chicken 3. There is something connecting ference in someone’s life. When tion beyond myself. Fresh BBQ chicken cooked on our about being surrounded by other we were given the opportunity to 10. I’m ready to grow up a little. charcoal rotisserie with our signature Jews. In Hamilton I am involved in choose a four day side-excursion, This trip has shown me that I can the Jewish community, but I was I chose the Tikkun Olam option. do more than I ever imagined, all home made piri piri sauce astonished that in Israel, Judaism One day we made birthday boxes by myself. When we came home, is all-encompassing. for children whose families were my friend and I talked about how 4. I am so lucky — not only to unable to afford them. On another, no one (save for our parents) was 244 James St. N., be able to travel to Israel for five we helped rehabilitate the garden ever going to care for us like our Hamilton, Ontario, L8R 2L3 weeks, but also to have support the therapy centre at a school for kids counsellors did again, and it’s (289) 396-0662 entire way. I have come to value with severe disabilities. We only scary, but a little exciting too. All goodness in my life. When we did each for an hour or less, but the of us have astonished ourselves went to Auschwitz, when I fasted effect for the recipient was always by our own capability, and we are @charredchicken on Tisha B’Av, or when we went bigger than we imagined. starting our lives as individuals. to Masada, I felt a draw to that 7. Language doesn't have to be a I would like to thank Hamilton charred.ca goodness. barrier. During our visit to a long- Jewish Federation’s Ralph Travis 5. Don’t give up on something term care centre, I walked with a Israel Experience Fund for sup-
HAMILTON JEWISH NEWS DECEMBER • hamiltonjewishnews.com • 2018 because it hasn’t worked before. I man who spoke only Russian and porting my trip of a lifetime. Delivery and catering available was never a great camp or youth Hebrew, and we still managed to 8 It is all about treating the deceased with dignity and respect. FEATURE We will always be here." DAN LEVY
A TRADITION OF CARE AND TRUST For more than 100 years, the United Hebrew Memorial Chapel has provided the ultimate service to the Jewish community
BY STEVEN BROCK, THE HAMILTON JEWISH NEWS
IN GENESIS 47:30, Jacob asks level of service and we believe his son Joseph to “do me a true that families appreciate the fact favour” and bury him along- that they are not dealing with side his ancestors. The concept of strangers.” Chesed Shel Emet or a good deed Levy laments that “Jewish of truth—that is burying the funeral homes and cemeter- dead within Jewish tradition—is ies are under a great deal of the final act of kindness we can pressure today all over North do for our fellow human beings. America.” Jewish institutions are It is devoid of ulterior motives, as all addressing issues such as the the recipient can never thank or burial of non-Jewish spouses in repay the kindness. consecrated cemeteries, embalm- For more than 100 years in ing and the burial of cremains Hamilton, this mitzvah has fallen (cremated ashes). to the United Hebrew Memorial Each Jewish community has Chapel (UHMC) and the local its own “minhag” or local cus- chevra kadisha (Jewish burial toms and will often do things dif- society). While a less organ- ferently than other communities. ized Jewish funeral organization Remaining true to their mandate, NEWS JEWISH HAMILTON THE SCHNEIDER, WENDY : PHOTO undoubtedly existed before then, Levy confirms that while servic- the earliest record of the UHMC ing the entire Jewish community refurbished through the generos- Ruth Lewis, Esther Shecter and Dan Levy in the United predates 1916. of Hamilton and area, UHMC is ity of an anonymous community Goldie Robbins. As they married, Hebrew Memorial Chapel. Its current president, Dan an Orthodox funeral home. So member. many of their spouses joined the Levy believes it started out in whether Reform, Conservative or In addition, UHMC offers ser- men’s chevra kadisha, including homes, often in those of the Orthodox, they provide only one vices such as grief counselling, Al Shecter and Harry Robbins. deceased. Then as the commu- level of service that conforms to funeral pre-planning and benev- Goldie, Garshowitz’s 11th child, nity matured, UHMC established orthodox halacha. olent services, including provid- eventually took over the reins of its first parlour on John Street Unlike many Jewish funeral ing a Jewish burial even when a the women’s chevra kadisha from North. Expanding into a larger homes, UHMC is a non-profit family is unable to pay. When it her mother. After working with building at 54 Vine St. in 1954, corporation. Run by a five-per- comes to physically preparing the her sisters and other volunteers it finally moved into its current son board of governors, it does deceased for burial, the chevra for a number of years, she brought location on Ewen Road in 2002. In not require any financial assis- kadisha works within the UHMC in her daughter, Sheryl Katz to fact, to many people, “we are still tance from Hamilton Jewish to carry out the tahara (ritual continue the tradition. Katz has affectionately referred to as Vine Federation or any of the syna- cleaning and preparation of the now been involved for the past Street,” says Levy with a smile. gogues. Paid staff are kept to a body), with male volunteers per- 46 years and has led the women’s As the only Jewish funeral minimum and the chevra kadisha forming the tahara on men and side for the past 20. Supporting home in town and in the greater currently consists of about 10 men female volunteers caring for the the family tradition, her husband, area, UHMC serves an area reach- and 10 women, all of whom are women. Stan Katz leads the men’s side. His “We have a good team in place ing from Mississauga to Niagara volunteers. Over the past century, one family also has a history of com- and right now I have no plans to and along the 401 corridor to Comfortably seating 300 family has led the way in pro- munity service with the chevra retire. However, when the time Kitchener. Available 24 hours a people, UHMC houses one of the viding this service to the Jews of kadisha, as his mother and two of comes, you would want to find day, it provides one-stop services. largest funeral chapels in the Hamilton. In the early days, Sarah his aunts were also involved. someone who is prepared to make “When somebody passes, a city. There is a proper Kohanim Garshowitz was at the forefront Levy came on board a little later a long-term commitment,” said phone call to us is all it takes. We room with a separate roof and its leading the women’s chevra kadi- than his cousin Sheryl, joining in Levy adding that these volun- take care of everything,” said own entrance, with no access into sha. After emigrating from Russia 2000, working alongside Aaron teers all serve the community and Levy. “And because we are a the chapel (as this classification in the late 1800s, this mother of Shiffman at the UHMC. Levy then give their time and effort from small community, we know most of Jewish high priests is not per- 12 children trained several of her took over for Shiffman nine years the “goodness of their hearts. It everyone. I would say that in 80 to mitted to be in the same enclosed daughters to carry on this ritual later and has also been the chair is all about treating the deceased 85 per cent of the cases, we know space as a dead body). Within the mitzvah. Among them was Levy’s of the Beth Jacob Cemetery since with dignity and respect. We will the family. So it is a very personal past year, the family room was mother, Marion Levy, as well as 1997. always be here.”
Wishing you a Happy Chanukah! and PARTNER S LLP Chartered Professional Accountants • Audit and Review Engagements Phil Leon • Not-for-Profit and insurance broker inc. Est. 1965 Charity Engagements • Corporate Tax and David A. Leon, FCIP Reorganizations President
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pages chanukah issue 2018.qxp_Layout 1 2018-11-19 4:40 PM Page 2
H
Making a better world takes the right ingredients.
This Chanukah, while you’re frying up the latkes, serve something that will make it an even happier holiday for the whole family — especially your global family. Everything you need is within reach. And the recipe is simple. Pour in a heaping mixture of nurturing and strengthening Jewish life. Add helping the vulnerable. Inspiring the young. And safeguarding our people. All these ingredients are automatically folded in together through your gift to the Hamilton Jewish Federation. So, please measure generously. Make it a truly happier Chanukah for your entire family. GIVE TODAY. IT ALL STARTS WITH YOU! 905.648.0605 x 303 | jewishhamilton.org/donate hamiltonjewishnews.com
TOGETHER CAMPAIGN 2019
Hamilton JEWISH FEDERATION TRANSFORMING JEWISH LIFE IN HAMILTON HAMILTON JEWISH NEWS DECEMBER • • 2018
10 FED A stronger Jewish community and the promise of a NEWS brighter Jewish future starts with you." pages chanukah issue 2018.qxp_Layout 1 2018-11-19 4:40 PM Page 3 IT ALL STARTS WITH YOU.
A stronger Jewish community, an enriched Jewish life, and the promise of a brighter Jewish future is possible, but it all starts with you. Your gift to the Hamilton Jewish Federation Annual Campaign goes right to the very heart of the better community we all want to create.
PLEASE HONOUR YOUR PLEDGE BEFORE DEC. 31ST TO RECEIVE YOUR 2018 TAX RECEIPT. • Pay online: www.jewishhamilton.org/donate • Send your cheque to the Hamilton Jewish Federation, 1605 Main St. W, HAMILTON, ON, L8S 1E6 • Pay by phone: Contact Elaine Levine, Campaign Director at 905.648.0605. x 303
*A charity can only issue a receipt for the 2018 tax year if the donation was received in 2018. If the postmark on the envelope containing the donor’s payment is dated on or before December 31, 2018, this is also acceptable.
As of November 20, 2018 we have reached $335,207 which represents 27.9% of our total campaign goal of $1.2 million hamiltonjewishnews.com
TOGETHER CAMPAIGN 2019
Hamilton JEWISH FEDERATION TRANSFORMING JEWISH LIFE IN HAMILTON HAMILTON JEWISH NEWS DECEMBER • • 2018
11 HOLIDAY We had the aroma of latkes permeating the school." CHARLOTTE PRICE FEATURE CREATIVE CHANUKAH TRADITIONS
BY WENDY SCHNEIDER AND ABIGAIL CUKIER THE HAMILTON JEWISH NEWS Chanukah is a holiday filled with traditions including lighting the menorah, playing dreidel and eating latkes and sufganiyot. The Hamilton Jewish News asked some community members what special traditions or Chanukah memories they hold dear.
ANNA LILLIMAN CHARLOTTE PRICE “Every year, we hold all eight “At my children’s school in Burlington, days, trying to invite a different they were the only Jewish kids. I would family each night. We have at come into their classrooms and tell least 12 different hanukkiot the Chanukah story. I would bring a and we light each one, with hanukkiah and light all eight candles, Charlotte Price holds a hanukkiah (Chanukah menorah) given to her by her family for a special all the guests and household teach the Dreidel Song and give kids birthday. “It is really a piece of artwork with each candle holder adorned with dangly whimsical members taking turns, going a plastic dreidel. We even made latkes Jewish and musical ornaments. I just love it for its uniqueness.” from youngest to oldest. We play once. We only did it once because it dreidel, giving dreidels away was so labour-intensive and we used to people and then sing songs. up a lot of electricity with four to five Tiki and Yali Levgoren celebrate Chanukah by We do talk about freedom and frying pans. But we had the aroma hosting friends and baking assimilation too. I tell the stories of latkes permeating the school.” hundreds of homemade of Judith. But the hanukkiot, sufganiot (traditional especially all of them lit on the TIKI AND YALI LEVGOREN Chanukah donuts). last night—that’s 108 candles Yali says, “My mom makes sufganiot burning—that’s astounding.” and when friends come over she asks them if they want to put in jelly or DEBBIE RICHTER chocolate filling.” “We used to have special nights Tiki says, “In Israel, we used to have of Chanukah, such as calendar 'Erev Sufganiot' — one night with our night, book night and CD night. extended family. But here, to feel the Each of my kids would get that holiday, we try to host almost every item as a gift. I still send each of night, except for the Adas Chanukah them a book and a calendar for dinner. It’s also a great opportunity to Chanukah.” invite our religious friends, who don’t drive on Shabbat. Last Chanukah, I probably made at least 200 sufganiot from scratch. The real thing, like in Israel." CHANUKAH PHOTOGRAPHS ON THIS PAGE: WENDY SCHNEIDER, THE HAMITON JEWISH NEWS
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HAMILTON JEWISH NEWS DECEMBER • hamiltonjewishnews.com • 2018 taylorleibow.com T. 905-522 6555 F: 905 522 6574 6th Floor, One James Street South, Hamilton ON 12 HOLIDAY Each morning of Chanukah, my kids open up an envelope FEATURE containing a special activity that we will do that night." ABIGAIL CUKIER
CHANUKAH 5779 This year, Chanukah begins on the evening of Sunday, Dec. 2 until Monday, Dec. 10. The Hamilton Jewish News wishes you a happy Chanukah and that you may enjoy your special traditions with family and friends. PHOTOCOURTESY OF THE GRIVER FAMILY The Griver family has a tradition of taking a family photo on the eighth night of Chanukah. RYAN GRIVER “We have a tradtion of taking a family photo on the eighth night of Chanukah. It was really nice to look through the years and see how we have grown together.” PHOTOCOURTESY OF THE CUKIER FAMILY Abigail Cukier with her family and faithful friend. BRENDA BURJAW ABIGAIL CUKIER “Each year, we take over the kitchen two to three weeks in advance and “Each morning of Chanukah, my kids open up an envelope go into production to turn 10 pounds containing a special activity that we will do that night. Some of potatoes into delicious latkes. We favourites have been board game night, reading Chanukah also produce dozens of shortbread books, family dance party and dreidel tournament. We also cookies, cut into Chanukah shapes and include donating money to charity, giving away toys or taking decorate them. We package up several food to a food bank.” and share them with our neighbours and friends. Every year, we purchase enough dreidels for Rebekah to bring to school to share her culture with her classmates. I have gone to school to provide her classmates with a quick education on our holiday stories and how to play the dreidel game. Lastly, we always make sure that we give back Rebekah Burjaw brings dreidels to school to the community either through a to share her culture with her classmates. PHOTOCOURTESY OF THE BURJAW FAMILY donation or volunteering.”
The Hamilton Chapter wishes all our Donors, Families and Friends a Warm and Festive Visit Dr. Larry Levin at City Place Dental Proudly serving the Chag Ha’Chanukah Hamilton Jewish Let us pray for peace in our beloved Israel – Am Y'Israel Chai community CALL US TODAY HAMILTON FRIENDS OF CANADIAN MAGEN DAVID ADOM WE WOULD LOVE Tel: 1-800-731-2848 TO SEE YOU!
With YOUR help – Magen David Adom continues to provide uninterrupted emergency services to THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL 905-529-2421 105 Main St. East, Ste.1115 ISRAEL CANNOT SURVIVE WITHOUT MAGEN DAVID ADOM HAMILTON JEWISH NEWS DECEMBER • hamiltonjewishnews.com • 2018 www.cmdai.org cityplacedental.ca (located in effort square) MAGEN DAVID ADOM CANNOT SURVIVE WITHOUT YOU 13 Most of the time we don't get more than three seconds notice ISRAEL of a terrorist rocket." YAEL RAZ LACHYANI LIVING UNDER FIRE ON THE GAZA BORDER Kibbutz Nahal Oz resident describes the toll
on Gaza border communities from the Kibbutz Nahal Oz resident seemingly never-ending conflict Yael Raz Lachyani (centre) poses with (from l to r) JNF regional Ontario executive director Suzy Polgar, Rabbi STORY BY STEVE ARNOLD, THE HAMILTON JEWISH NEWS Jordan Cohen, JNF Hamilton president Haim Goldstein, and A TERRORIST ROCKET fired comfortable Canadian Jews Cantor Paula Baruch after her from the Hamas bastion of the understand what it is to live under presentation at JHamilton. Gaza Strip can reach Yael Raz constant threat of terrorist attacks Lachyani’s kibbutz home in three and all-out war. seconds. “We are so close to the border That’s barely enough time to that most of the time we don’t get look into the sky and measure more than three seconds notice the chance this rocket will kill of a terrorist rocket,” she said. “I you or someone you love. Such have to have two safe rooms in threats are just part of life when my house. You have a normal life you live a scant 800 metres from here, not us. We hope for a normal the hotly disputed Gaza-Israel life, but I’m happy that you have a border. Despite the risk, how- normal life.” ever, Lachyani and her 450 neigh- That dream of a normal life, bours at Kibbutz Nahal Oz refuse where communities build to leave. schools, hospitals and good roads PHOTOCOURTESY OF JNF HAMILTON “In the beginning it was just rather than bomb shelters; where one or two rockets every couple children can look into the night Gazans began to find a measure of and stop rocket attacks on Israeli “We had two years of quiet after of weeks and we all thought it sky and see fireworks rather than stability with jobs in Israel. civilians. The seven-week oper- Operation Protection Edge – not would go away,” Lachyani said in terror rockets and fire kites, has “Through the 1970s and 1990s ation resulted in 67 IDF soldiers Canadian quiet, but relative quiet an interview before a recent series sustained Nahal Oz residents for we had normal, neighbourly killed and 469 injured. As many for us,” she said. “Now we live of presentations in Hamilton. “For almost 70 years. relations with Gaza,” she said. as 2,300 Gazans were killed.) with border protests and fire bal- the last 12 years, however, we’ve The kibbutz was founded in “Everything was calm, normal During that brief war Lachyani loons that can cause a really big been dealing with security rather 1951 by a group of IDF veter- and peaceful.” did briefly flee the kibbutz. fire.” than building a strong commu- ans who had served in the west- Those times didn’t last, how- “For us, 2014 was the hardest Part of what keeps the citizens nity. Instead we’ve built a large ern Negev and wanted to settle in ever, and since 2000 and the rise year we’ve seen, it was just terri- of Nahal Oz clinging to their little emergency staff plus shelters and the harsh, but beautiful, desert of the terror organization Hamas ble,” she said. “That year I left the slice of Eden, Lachyani said, is the safe rooms.” region. Nahal Oz is one of the few in Gaza, the entire western Negev kibbutz and lived as a refugee in people who are their neighbours. Lachyani’s stop in Hamilton remaining kibbutzim in Israel region has endured rocket attacks my own country, relying on the “I love kibbutz life because we was part of a three-city tour spon- today that sustains itself largely and assaults from terror tunnels good people of Israel. That was a celebrate everything together,” sored by the Jewish National by agriculture, growing tomatoes, under the border defences. In 2014 bad time with lots of missiles fall- she said. “If someone else spends Fund. Her Hamilton stop was co- potatoes and sunflowers, Early those assaults forced Israel into ing all around us.” 10,000 shekels on fireworks, we’ll sponsored by the JNF Regional life was difficult during the vio- an incursion into Gaza dubbed During that time a Nahal Oz spend 20,000. I’m optimistic that Ontario unit and the Hamilton lent times of the 1950s and 1960s Operation Protective Edge. family was killed by a terror one day the situation will be dif- Jewish Federation. Her presen- as Israel’s Arab neighbours tried (Protective Edge sent Israel rocket near the end of the conflict. ferent and we will have the kind tations at JHamilton, Shalom to destroy the fledgling country. Defense Forces air and ground By the end of the operation 35 per of neighbours we want. To get Village and Temple Anshe Conditions improved after the attacks into Gaza to destroy cent of the population of the kib- there we have to raise our voices Sholom were an effort to make Yom Kippur War of 1973 when Hamas terrorist infrastructure butz had fled and not all returned. and make people understand.”
The lawyers and staff at Ross & McBride LLP wish the entire community a happy and healthy Hanukkah. Happy Hanukkah. No other law firm in the city offers as many practice areas or services to its clients. If you have any questions about what we can provide you, feel free to contact us. hamiltonjewishnews.com
1 King Street, 10th Floor Hamilton, ON L8P 1A4 TEL: 905.526.9800 FAX: 905.526.0732 www.rossmcbride.com
Jeffrey Manishen Hon. David Steinberg Barry Yellin Joshua Perell Brad Wiseman Lawyers in your Corner HAMILTON JEWISH NEWS DECEMBER • • 2018
14 If I were naming a child today, I would call her L'Chaim, life." ELLEN JAFFE PROFILE ON BEING A JEWISH Ellen Jaffe strikes a pose at Dundas’s Carnegie Gallery before her recent WRITER move to Toronto.
Family and social justice are major themes in Ellen Jaffe’s writing
STORY BY BARRY ROSEN, THE HAMILTON JEWISH NEWS
IN EARLY AUGUST, I had the pleasure of interviewing Ellen Jaffe, a well-regarded member of the Hamilton arts community, just prior to her move to Toronto. PHOTO:WENDY SCHNEIDER, THE HAMILTON JEWISH NEWS Having a creative imagination — and knowing how to use it — has been a strong theme of Ellen town and write about it. I used my she does. She never experiences Jaffe's life, beginning in child- imagination a lot.” writer’s block, but sometimes pro- hood. Another theme has been her Jaffe spoke very highly of crastinates. Her advice to aspir- commitment to social justice and Hamilton and how it has influ- ing writers is to read and write as interest in family, which comes enced her writing career. Living much as possible, enter writing through in much of her writing. in Woodstock was too limiting for contests and participate in writ- Baby Naming Jaffe has published several her as a writer and while living ers’ groups. works and is known primarily, there, she began to meet with Jaffe feels that being a Jewish For those killed and injured at the Tree of Life Synagogue in but not exclusively, for her poetry. Hamilton writers. writer gives her a unique perspec- Pittsburgh, October 27, 2018 (Cheshvan 18, 5779), during a baby- She is also the author of the young “I moved to Hamilton as I knew tive. Her family was not observant naming ceremony, and for their loved ones. And for all of us. adult novel, "Feast of Lights", people here. I felt at home here but they celebrated major holi- has taught writing to various age very quickly,” she said. “Toronto days and she always identified groups and has written a book felt like it was too far and too as Jewish. We discussed how the If I were naming a child today, about journaling, called "Writing big. There was a lot of generos- reverence for words is one aspect I would call her L’Chaim, life. Your Way". Jaffe co-edited two ity among writers here, a sense of being Jewish. Another is the I would call her Tikvah, hope. anthologies with Lil Blume, in of community and collegiality focus on social justice and family, I would call him Gabriel, God is my strength, 2009 and 2011 and has also been a because it’s smaller.” both of which are exemplified in and Raphael for healing and protection. contributing writer in many pub- When she arrived in Hamilton, Jaffe's work. Her novel, "Feast of I would plant the Tree of Life in her heart, in his heart, lications. She has also worked as a Jaffe connected with Rabbi Lights", is entirely Jewish in its’ psychotherapist in addition to her Bernard and Marjorie Baskin, content and theme. to grow and flourish in sweetness and peace, Shalom, writing career. who helped her and with whom “I always felt a strong Jewish rooting out evil weeds and seeds of hatred, violence, After growing up in New York she became friends. She became connection,” she said. “There’s a isolation from humanity -- and from spirit. City, Jaffe left the United States involved with Temple Anshe social conscience that comes with I would ask the breath of life to flow through him, through her in 1972 and moved to England, Sholom, where she and Lil Blume being Jewish. It means you iden- like a quickening wind, where she studied psychother- directed three successful Jewish tify with anyone who’s oppressed. making the evil eye quiver and turn aside in fear. apy. Her move to Canada in 1979 Literary Festivals in 2002, 2009 I think being Jewish is a way of was in part due to her opposition and 2012. looking at the world. There is a Let Shekhinah sing songs of joy and bring comfort in sadness to the Vietnam War. She lived in Creativity and self-expression comfort with words.” under nurturing wings. Woodstock, Ontario until 2000, are fundamental human needs, Jaffe will definitely be missed Let this child’s name be holy, when she moved to Hamilton. says Jaffe, noting the value of in this community, but she And let this child be whole-hearted, blessed, and wholly loved Both of Jaffe's parents loved keeping a journal, which helps assured me that she will main- for all the days of her and of his life. reading, and there were always release thoughts and feelings. She tain a connection with Hamilton, books around. “I started writing revealed how journaling helped a city that has clearly been an when I was really young. I always her deal with things in her life, important part of her life and remember writing, ever since I such as her mother dying. Jaffe artistic career. could hold a pencil,” she said. “I also believes writing can be used For more information about Ellen S. Jaffe remember telling myself stories as to fight injustice and shake up Ellen Jaffe and to order her poetry a little girl. As an only child, I had complacency. She writes every book, "Skinny Dipping" with the a lot of time. I would imagine a day and says she feels better when Muse, visit ellen-s-jaffe.com. hamiltonjewishnews.com HAMILTON JEWISH NEWS DECEMBER • • 2018
15 JEWISH The Hamilton JewishThe rules News are is simple. grateful The to the attendees Allen and sit Milli facing Gould each Family other Foundation in a circle, LIFE for their generoushence sponsorship the name, of and its new pass Jewish around Life a section“talking. stone”. B’NAI BRITH CELEBRITY JOURNEY TO MOROCCO SPORTS DINNER Synagogue group is heading to North Africa in the spring
Another star-studded line-up AFTER NUMEROUS successful tours of Israel and a very moving ANOTHER STAR-studded trip to Central Europe, Temple lineup is being assembled for NEED TO KNOW Anshe Sholom’s Travellers are off the annual B’nai Brith Sports on a new adventure to Morocco. Celebrity Dinner. Now in its What: B'nai Brith Departing March 31, 2019 and 68th year, the esteemed event has Sports Celebrity Dinner lasting 11 days, this Jewish her- always drawn the support of the Where: Hamilton itage tour of Morocco will be an region’s most prominent busi- Convention Centre immersive opportunity to learn nesses and institutions, while When: Monday, Jan. 28, 2019 about the unique history and tra- raising well over $2 million for a Tickets: $135 plus HST. ditions of Moroccan Jewry, an an- wide array of local, national and Contact [email protected] cient culture that reflects both international charitable causes. or hamiltonsportsdinner.com European and North African in- The dinner has also served as an fluences. The Jewish presence in opportunity to honour and cel- Morocco dates back more than Jordan Cohen, who will be lead- ebrate the top male and female event in the city,” says Paikin. 2,500 years, to the time of the ing the tour. Temple Anshe Sholom high school student athletes “Aside from the chance to meet Carthaginian state. Before the “We have a number of individ- Travellers are heading to from across Hamilton. sports legends, the dinner pro- founding of the State of Israel in uals and families in our congrega- Morocco this coming March. Past head table guests such as vides a rare opportunity for the 1948, there were about 350,000 tion who are of Moroccan descent, Jackie Robinson, Pete Rose, Bill aspirational to mix and mingle Jews in Morocco, the largest and, after Israel, Canada has one Walton, Joe Carter, Bobby Hull with the area’s most affluent busi- Jewish community in the Muslim of the largest Moroccan Jewish and Jesse Owens have graced the nesspeople and professionals.” world. Today, fewer than 2,500 populations in the world.” stage and shared illuminating This year’s event will once Jews remain in the progressive The Moroccan adventure will and inspiring stories from their again be held at the Hamilton Muslim nation. include tours of Casablanca, on “Moroccan Jewish Family fabled careers. This year will be Convention Centre, on Monday, “After witnessing the destruc- Rabat, Fes, and Marrakech, as and Culture” and a “History of no exception as the dinner com- Jan. 28, 2019. Those interested in tion and rebirth of Ashkenazic well as travel through the Atlas Morocco” with McMaster pro- mittee finalizes the dais lineup. sponsorship or tickets can con- Jewry during our tour of Central Mountains and a night at a Berber fessor Ellen Amster. All who Co-chairs Jeff Paikin and Brent tact Laura at [email protected] or Europe, I thought it was time that Camp in the Sahara Desert. In are interested are welcome to Clifford are immensely proud to visit hamiltonsportsdinner.com/. we had a chance to learn first- addition, to help prepare for the join our adventure in Morocco. see how the dinner has evolved Please be advised that tickets for hand about the Sephardic and tour, learning sessions will be For more information contact over the years. “This event has this event sell out quickly, so act Mizrachi Jewish communities held at Anshe Sholom including a Rabbi Cohen or register online at grown into the premier social fast to avoid disappointment. in the Muslim world,” said Rabbi presentation by Ralph Benmurgui www.arzaworld.com.
David Sweet, M.P. and Almut Sweet
Chanukah Sameach
David Sweet, M.P. 1760 Upper James St., Unit 4 Hamilton, ON L9B 1K9 905 574 0474 ❘ DavidSweet.ca HAMILTON JEWISH NEWS NOVEMBER • hamiltonjewishnews.com • 2018
16 DavidSweet2018-HJN ChanukahAd-5x8.4-bw.indd 1 2018-11-14 7:15 PM BY BY members family among bond special highlights Film SPECIALWITH NEEDS HAVINGON SIBLING A SPECIAL NEEDS ACTION PROJECT BY SCHOOL HEBREW JACOB BETH sibling of the needs the on focused often was family the that feeling the peers, with situations difficult from sibling their tect pro always to wish know, the they that ity real only the is needs special has who a sibling with life that realization the included discussion the during surfaced that themes of the Some needs. special with sibling their up with growing riences expe their about reminisced who people of a panel to listened and brother.org/) (www.myhero Brother" Hero "My movie Israeli the viewed participants 60 than More JHamilton. at topic a gathering at this explore to Association Syndrome Down the Jewish with Federation partnered Hamilton of the (SNAP) committee Project relationship? this impact needs special with sister or a brother having Does family. their in role a different plays individual each and E AV H NGS BLI SI BETH JACOB SYNAGOGUE JACOB BETH [email protected]. 522-1351 email or 905- at synagogue the call school, students. the for Hebrew conversational greater tate facili and develop to geared gram pro Hebrew online an implemented successfully has School Hebrew Synagogue Jacob Beth year, This Symons. Einav Yonah and Rabbi by taught opportunity, Hebrew ment enrich the for registered have dents 4:15 stu 5:15 to from numerous p.m. Mondays On holidays. and cycles life Bible, ethics, includes riculum cur Judaic the prayers, on focuses curriculum Hebrew the While Kornblum. Tracy and Lawton Gila Fay Schmerling, teachers: tional excep our by taught pods three week’s Torah portion. the from lessons imparts and prayers some leads Hillel Rabbi pledge. school our saying and Hatikvah ing snacks. healthy joying en while peers their with schmooze to opportunity an have and Hebrew their practice read, games, play books, Parsha own their creating are Students them. to available centres various the in participate to only 3:30 as p.m. early up as showing start students Many affiliation. of synagogue regardless community of our members all to open is and 4:30 6:15 to from p.m., Wednesdays on runs The school start. a great to JACOB BETH LIFE JEWISH On Nov. 4, the Special Needs Action Action Needs Nov.On Special 4, the EINAV SYMONS For more information about the the about For information more into divided is The school sing includes time T’fillah Our ANITA BERNSTEIN Hebrew School is off off is School Hebrew a unique relationship relationship a unique
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We invite anyone who either wants to to wants either who anyone We invite Assisting and encouraging people to to people encouraging and Assisting elderly the Visiting to support administrative Providing libraries in Assisting
- - 17 HAMILTON JEWISH NEWS • DECEMBER 2018 • hamiltonjewishnews.com PHOTO: COURTESY THE JEWISH NATIONAL FUND JEWISH TheWithout rules a doubt, are simple. the Maccabiah The attendees and Grade sit facing 8 trip are each the other highlights in a of every LIFE circle,child's lasthence year the at the name, HHA." and RYAN pass GRIVER around a “talking stone”.
HHA'S SHABBAT IN A BOX PROJECT KEHILA HESCHEL SCHOOL RAISES FUNDS FOR GRADE 8 TRIP OF HAMILTON BY RYAN GRIVER Excerpt from the naming ceremony of Kehila Heschel School of Hamilton by Gail Baker, co-founder, Heschel Toronto HAMILTON HEBREW ACADEMY
HAVING SPENT more than The board and staff of the Kehila Community Day School rec- a decade sending kids to the ognize that how you choose to educate your children is one of Hamilton Hebrew Academy the most important decisions that you will make. We honour this (HHA), without a doubt two choice. We honour it by recognizing the importance of nurtur- annual events stand out. ing your children to become critical and creative problem solv- Maccabiah and the Grade 8 trip ers, curious learners, articulate and innovative thinkers. Most are the highlight of every child’s importantly, we recognize that all children must learn independ- last year at the HHA. The chance to be a captain, a leader, to take ence, perseverance and resilience. your team to victory through song It is no mere coincidence that Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel and skit. Taking your first over- was chosen to be the spiritual mentor of this school. Rabbi night group trip with friends and Heschel’s contribution to the world of Jewish education and to teachers to learn and explore this the larger world is well known. PHOTO:COURTESY THE HAMILTON HEBREW ACADEMY great world of ours. Rabbi Heschel espoused the belief that to be a good Jew, During a recent parent asso- Rebecca Abraham, approached one must see the world with admiring eyes and appreciate our ciation meeting at the HHA, we me and said, “Yes! What do you HHA Grade 8 students unique role in its betterment. He urged us to study — not just talked about the positives of the want to do and how can we help?” prepared 58 Shabbat food ancient miracles, but the miracles we see every day — and look at school, focusing on what worked Abraham is a caterer and Levy boxes, as a fundraiser for their our experiences with admiration, wonder and awe. to help us understand why it did, runs Chocolate Tales, and helped annual graduation trip. As a Heschel Jewish Day School, we have the opportunity and how we could support it. As with logistics. The menu was set to bring that sense of awe to our children’s learning. With an we went around person to person and we were ready to find some in the newly redesigned Library partners to support this project. emphasis on Jewish ethics and values, we focus on our shared Learning Commons talking about JCC and Federation's new program history, our sacred texts, and our shared efforts to affect positive the teachers, the financial sup- coordinator, Jonathan Riaboy, was change in our community and our world. port, the extra-curricular pro- incredibly supportive in offering As a Heschel school, we teach that all of humanity was cre- grams, and the focus on family, I the new physical space on Main ated B’tzelem Elohim, in God’s image. Children will learn that raised my hand and then spoke in Street West as a pick-up point. we sent four boxes to Hamilton while this makes them unique and special, it does not make them my turn. When Shlomo Assayag, a Jewish Social Services and the superior to anyone, for everyone was created this way. We must “Two things," I said. "First, right Toronto food entrepreneur and Toronto organization, Tomchei therefore view our peers with compassion, dignity and a sense here, where we are, is a beautiful owner of the Speedy Meaty: Shabbos. of responsibility. place. It is a modern and thought- Toronto Kosher Guru Facebook This is being written the day Take a moment and imagine a school where children come ful room that engages the child in group found out about the project, before we start cooking. The kids knowing that they will be celebrated for their uniqueness and all the senses and provides many he launched a contest that raised from Grade 8 will be decorating where they will come to a place knowing that the bricks and spaces for each unique child to awareness of the HHA in Toronto. each box individually and writ- explore. My dream is the HHA Marty Strub donated a jar of ing a D’var Torah to be said at the mortar are a shelter and a window to the outside world. Imagine trip. I want to make this trip excel- “Marty’s Pickles” for each box. meal. Their energy and excite- a school that embraces the diversity of the Jewish world and lent. I want to fundraise every With the menu set and advertis- ment is heart-warming. They are where students learn that mitzvoth are commandments and year enough so that the trip’s ing flyer created, all we had to do so excited to visit JHamilton this not just good deeds; that Tzedakah is not charity but justice; that reach will not be limited by its was sell. We sold out all 58 boxes Friday. I don’t know how this lashon horah, gossip, is poison and that it is the obligation of the financial grasp.” within two weeks of the launch. story will end. But I get a sense Jewish people to help bring about Tikkun Olam, the repair of At the end of the meeting, two As the children are very involved that it’s just the beginning for the world. Ladies and gentlemen, you are imagining the Kehila inspired parents, David Levy and in chesed (good deeds) projects, “Shabbat in a Box”. Heschel School of Hamilton.
Celebrate Chanukah with Tribute Cards from Shalom Village
Let Shalom Village brighten your Chanukah. Send greetings & support Shalom Village at the same time. Contact the Foundation at 905-529-1613 X317 or email [email protected] Happy Chanukah from Shalom Village Give the gift of a Warm Hug on a cold winter’s day this holiday season, by making a donation to the Shalom Village Snowflake campaign. YOU can join the Shalom Village family in making Chanukah happy for everyone. Your gift can help us spread love and laughter by making a donation to our 3rd Annual Snowflake Appeal. For every $25 donated, Shalom Village will display a snowflake throughout the residences–to celebrate your generous gift and spread kindness throughout Shalom Village. Remember Shalom Village for your year-end giving. When you give by December
HAMILTON JEWISH NEWS DECEMBER • hamiltonjewishnews.com • 2018 31st, 2018, your gift will also be tax deductible. 18 JEWISH These young people are already showing that they know better LIFE than to ever be part of the prejudice problem." ELYSA KESHEN
RESPONDING TO HATE WITH KINDNESS Synagogues encourage children to share their reactions over Solidarity Shabbat
BY ELYSA KESHEN AND DORA ANN things like you teach us, is that how I make students will join with Beth Jacob students COHEN-ELLISON, SPECIAL TO THE HJN Beth Jacob will be hosting a teen program the world better?" and travel to Shalom Village. We will chal- once a month beginning Dec. 1 as well as a “Yes! Yes!” I exclaimed, while holding lenge students with the mission to put a ELYSA KESHEN tandem children’s program. For more infor- back tears. I was moved to tears by his inno- smile of every face we visit. Together, we IN THE PLANNING of Beth Jacob’s mation or to get involved contact me at 905- cence, by his enthusiasm and by his over- will explore the healing power of humour Solidarity Shabbat it became pertinent to 522-1351 ext 10 or email whelming feeling of hope. Later in the week, and love. find an appropriate and meaningful way [email protected]. we watched a BimBam video (Jewish videos Looking for some Chanukah family fun? for children to share their reactions and that explain the basics of Judaism for adults Please join us at our YoFi Chanukah Party concerns to the events of the past week. DORA ANN COHEN-ELLISON and kids), narrated by Mayim Bialik, that on Sunday, Dec. 2 from 2 to 3 p.m. We Programs were designed for children from ON THE MORNING of #standupforshabbat, challenged the students to act and behave in will start with songs, followed by crafts, kindergarten to Grade 4 and for Grades 5 I was teaching and leading Temple Anshe a way that demonstrates the teachings in the games and story time. I hope to see you and up. Sholom's Shabbat children’s service. As we Torah. there! Families with little ones under age The younger group, led by Fay explored the values of helping each other, At Temple Anshe Sholom, our students are 5 are invited to join us for Tot-Shabbat on Schmerling and myself, explored kindness trusting in God, and being the best version always learning how to help others and how Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. For by tying it with the Torah portion Chayei of our selves, a student asked, “So Morah to make a difference; and they are learn- more school information and updates on Sarah. We explored how Rivka became Dora-Ann, if we listen to you and learn what ing that they need not do this alone. There our activities, please follow our blog at Isaac’s wife because of her kind nature. is in the Torah, and then we go to school and is a large Hamilton Jewish community to anshesholomreligiousschool.wordpress. After a discussion regarding what we can grow up, and always remember to do good explore, to help, to engage. On Dec. 19, our com. do to be kind to one another, the children explored their thoughts using marbles, sea shells, and popsicle sticks. Six intelligent young men and women made up the teen group, led by Anna MAC HILLEL HOLDS VIGIL FOR PITTSBURGH SLAIN Lilliman. It was clear from the outset that they were more aware, interested, capable and creative than most people give teens credit for. They discussed the situation in Pittsburgh openly and frankly, voicing their fears and discussing an appropri- ate Jewish response to hate. After singing Oseh Shalom, the group read quotes from famous Jews about combating hate and the importance of kindness, and discussed their impressions. What was most beauti- ful was the care and respect the children gave each other, from a young man includ- ing a shy girl in the discussions, to the easy acceptance of some students' disabilities. These young people are already showing that they know better than to ever be part of the prejudice problem. When we rejoined PHOTO:COURTESY MCMASTER HLLEL the adult service, a participant read a poem In the wake of the horrific shooting at Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life Synagogue, McMaster Hillel held a vigil on Tuesday, Oct. 30 in memory of in honour of the Tree of Life synagogue and those who lost their lives.The vigil brought together more than 150 people from across campus to honour and remember the victims. Max both groups led the congregation in a few Librach, president of McMaster Hillel, remembered the victims, and Daniella Mikanovsky recited a poem (see page 4) that she wrote just a few prayers. Children’s programs such as these days after the tragedy. The university’s flags were flown at half mast and the administration issued a statement condemning anti-Semitism. are fun, necessary, and a way we can cele- brate being Jewish together. Wishing the community a Happy Chanukah!
Jordan Guest Tanis Hall Judy Rosen Larry Szpirglas Christine Kiriakopoulos Sales Representative Sales Representative Sales Representative Broker Sales Representative
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1122 Wilson Street West 905.648.4451 Ancaster, On L9G 3K8 HAMILTON JEWISH NEWS DECEMBER • hamiltonjewishnews.com • 2018
19 FED The show focuses on how music is the deepest, most profound way NEWS to connect people from all over the world."
pages chanukah issue 2018.qxp_Layout 1 2018-11-19 4:40 PM Page 1
HAMILTON JEWISH FEDERATION, HAMILTON JCC, CANADIAN ZIONIST FEDERATION AND JEWISH NATIONAL FUND PRESENT SSaattururddaayy NNiigghhtt CChhaannuukkaahh CCwithonon Israeli musccicianer er& singertt OFER BASHAN Classical Masterpieces of Show Business The songs and masterpieces written by Jewish artists from all over the world. It’s a musical journey through the USA, Canada, Europe and Israel. The show focuses on how music is the deepest, most profound way to connect people from all over the world.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8 | 8 PM TICKETS PER PERSON $10 before December 6 | $18 at the door Latke Bar, Salad Bar and Desserts at J Hamilton | 1605 Main St. W. | Hamilton, ON hamiltonjewishnews.com register online at http://bit.ly/HJFChanukah
For more information and registration please contact Jonathan at [email protected]
Hamilton JEWISH FEDERATION HAMILTON JEWISH NEWS DECEMBER • • 2018
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