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MARCH 30, 2015 | 10 NISSAN 5775 ESTABLISHED 1937 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM | $2 After divisive campaign, Israelis deliver clear victory for Netanyahu

BY BEN SALES Netanyahu’s right wing and religious TEL AVIV (JTA) – After weeks in which bloc will account for 57 seats in the next polls consistently showed Zionist Union Knesset, while the centre-left will have holding a slight lead over the Likud Party 49. The Arab-Israeli Joint List won 13 of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, seats to become the third largest party. the Israeli leader made a dramatic Netanyahu spoke with the heads of his comeback to win a decisive victory in likely partners on election night, and Israeli elections, March 17. results point toward a 67-member Netanyahu’s Likud won 30 seats – a coalition of Likud, the pro-settler Jewish quarter of the Knesset and six more than Home, haredi parties, the hardline the Zionist Union’s 24. Yisrael Beiteinu and the centre-right PHOTO: MIRIAM ALSTER/FLASH90 “Our country’s everyday reality doesn’t Kulanu. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, sing “Hatikvah” give us the luxury for delay,” Netanyahu The result provides a conclusive fi nish with Likud members at party headquarters in Tel Aviv, March 18, 2015. said in a statement March 18. “The to a fi erce and largely negative campaign citizens of Israel expect that we will act in which both Netanyahu and Herzog 11 seats from 19. Likud succeeded in closing a polling quickly and responsibly to establish a campaigned with variations on the Kulanu may well emerge as the defi cit of several points in the campaign’s leadership that will work for them in slogan “It’s us or them.” election’s kingmaker. Netanyahu needs fi nal days. areas of defence, the economy and The Joint List, a combined slate of its support to form the next government, The religious Zionist, pro-settler society just as we promised in this several smaller Arab factions, was one of giving it a powerful bargaining chip when Jewish Home party, which grew to 12 campaign – and just like we will now set the election’s biggest winners. Ayman negotiating for positions in ministries seats from three in the 2013 vote, fell back ourselves towards doing.” Odeh, the party’s charismatic leader, has and Knesset committees. to eight in the election. The Likud victory came after initial committed himself to working on Herzog conceded defeat in a telephone On the left, the staunchly leftist Meretz exit polls from three Israeli television improving the lives of Arab-Israelis, but call to Netanyahu the morning after the fell from six seats to fi ve. The right wing stations showed the top two parties in a has vowed not to join a governing election. Yachad party, founded by former Shas virtual tie. That result would have itself coalition. “We’ll be a fi ghting, socially minded chairman Eli Yishai, did not pass the represented a vast improvement for Throughout the campaign, voters said party that will serve as an alternative in electoral threshold and will not enter the Likud, which had been polling in the their top issue was Israel’s high cost of all areas,” Herzog wrote on Facebook the next Knesset. 20-23 seat range in the fi nal media polls living. They reiterated that demand on morning after the election. “And we will Among the biggest losers was Yisrael issued on March 13. Election Day, giving Kulanu a strong fi ght together with our partners for the Beiteinu, the hardline faction led by But, as offi cial returns came in, Likud showing with 10 seats. Party founder values we believe in.” Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman. The emerged as the clear victor. Netanyahu Moshe Kachlon, a former Likud minister, As Election Day drew near, leaders on party, which had 13 seats in the previous now has a relatively easy path to forming had focused almost exclusively on both sides urged voters to close ranks Knesset, was hit with a corruption a coalition of his so-called “natural socioeconomic issues during the around their respective fl agship party. scandal early in the campaign and wound partners” on the right and the religious campaign. Voters moved away from smaller parties, up with just six seats. parties, along with the centre-right The other party with a strong eco- enabling Likud and Zionist Union to See pages 7, 26 and 49 for more Kulanu party. nomic focus, the centrist Yesh Atid, fell to increase their Knesset representation. analysis of the Israeli election.

Andrea Freedman on creating Rabbis discuss Supreme Court Survivor to tell his story inside: a stronger Jewish community > p. 2 decision > p. 12, 13, 15, 16, 17 on Yom HaShoah > p. 33

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Providing quality service 613-744-5767 613-244-4444 to the National Capital Region Publication Mail Agreement No. 40018822 since 1947! www.boydgroup.on.ca 2 March 30, 2015 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM Our goal is to create a stronger Jewish community

certainly do our best. Ultimately, we will The Jewish Federation of Ottawa must be able to show the community a “report “devote appropriate attention to urgent, card” on strategic plan milestones when we report on the Year 1 work plan; thus emerging and important community issues, allowing community members to answer the question for themselves. while not losing focus of our broader mandate My colleague Deborah Corber of Federation CJA in Montreal recently and strategic objectives,” writes Andrea wrote a thought-provoking piece on the difference between a not-for-profi t Freedman as she completes her second year corporation and one that is profi t driven. Her piece spoke about a movement to as Federation president and CEO. rename the “not-for-profi t” sector as the “social-profi t” sector. She built on the ast year, to mark my fi rst anni- speech about Israel and the Middle East. work of Paul Alofs, president and CEO of versary of working on behalf of Instead, he spoke about issues such as the Princess Margaret Cancer Ottawa’s Jewish community, I technology and leadership. During the Foundation, who asked in a piece in the Lwrote an article for the Ottawa Q&A, he explained that he had adopted Globe and Mail, “What other sector of the Jewish Bulletin that began with a ques- a policy of not speaking about Israel – economy refers to itself by what it’s not? tion from the play Rent. unless asked a specifi c question – Grocery stores don’t call themselves ‘not PHOTO: HOWARD SANDLER “525,600 minutes. How do you because the rhetoric becomes too Honing our communication skills furniture stores.’” measure, measure a year?” heated. People are so entrenched in their will make our community stronger, Federation, as a social-profi t organiza- It is a challenge to answer because positions, so passionate, that they do not says Federation President and CEO tion, does have to be concerned with how do you condense 525,600 minutes always hear what he has to say. Andrea Freedman. revenue, because it is through revenue, of learning, activity, success and failure, As I refl ect further on this and think primarily generated by the Annual passion and commitment into a few about how we conduct business in new information or are we mostly just Campaign, that we gain the ability to hundred words? This year, as I mark the Ottawa’s Jewish community, we certainly committed to persuading others of our help. As Corber wrote, “We need to make conclusion of my second year, I am can and do get passionate about issues position? Do we take the time to engage the case for our own, unique value pleased to share three thoughts. we care about. Ultimately, what will help decision makers or do we simply con- proposition, that no other gift has the On a recent vacation, I attended a make our community stronger is honing verse with other like-minded power to impact so many Jewish lives. The speech by New York Times columnist our communication skills. Are we individuals? extent to which we succeed determines Thomas Friedman. I was expecting a interested in learning and understanding While the Jewish Federation of Ottawa our market share or ‘penetration’ rate: is not perfect, we are always open to the number of donors who give to the having respectful discussions – sharing annual campaign and volunteers who and learning from each other and give of their time, both of which impact working on our common goal of creating directly on our ability to do good.” a stronger Jewish community. The Jewish Federation of Ottawa is a Last June, the Federation adopted a social-profi t business with a plethora of new strategic plan. Over the past year, stakeholders, from donors to all who one of our challenges has been to devote benefi t from the programs and services Commercial Sales & Leasing ❋ Consulting ❋ Site Selection/Relocations ❋ Tenant Representation ❋ Feasibility Studies energy and time to achieving the we fund, to all who care about Jewish Investment/User Properties ❋ Strategic Growth Planning ❋ Land Assemblies/Development Sites strategic plan’s objectives, while balan- life. And we have a responsibility to all of BRENT TAYLOR BROKER of RECORD, PRESIDENT cing other issues that come to the our stakeholders. forefront of our agenda. This past These three issues, communication, [email protected] www.brentcomrealty.com 613-726-7323 / FAX 613-721-8849 summer, it was Operation Protective focus and defi ning what business we are Edge. In the fall, it was the rising levels of in (social profi t), are all interconnected. anti-Semitism, and security concerns, Having just completed my second year and the winter months were devoted to working on behalf of our community, I Jewish education. view the past 525,600 minutes as a gift I Part of Federation’s responsibility is to have tried to use wisely. Looking forward ensure that we devote appropriate to the next 525,600 minutes, I am attention to urgent, emerging and energized and enthused! important community issues, while not And, as always, I invite anyone inter- losing focus of our broader mandate and ested in a conversation about how our strategic objectives. community can be further strengthened Do we get it right? to please be in touch with me at 613-798- Some days more than others, but we 4711 or [email protected].

Early Deadline April 6 is an early deadline for the April 27 Ottawa Jewish Proud to Serve You at City Hall Bulletin because 613-580-2751 • [email protected] of Passover www.michaelqaqish.com closures. March 30, 2015 3 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM IDF briefi ng rooms offer lessons on inclusive Israeli society and the burden of responsibility During the JNF staff mission to Israel in January, participants visited several IDF bases where they were briefed on mobile search, rescue and mobile hospital operations undertaken when disasters strike around the world and on how civilian casualties in Gaza were minimized during Operation Protective Edge. They also met a group of disabled young people participating in a program that has them serve on IDF bases, Lynda Taller-Wakter, JNF Ottawa and Atlantic Canada executive director, reports.

avid Ben-Gurion had a vision to the earthquake victims – some of whom populate the Negev desert, were buried under the rubble for many thereby inspiring the funding of days. Dhundreds of projects in the But we were not there to applaud him. southern region of Israel. But, on the day We were there to be reminded of Israel’s

the State of Israel was founded, he commitment to life and to learn how the PHOTO: LYNDA TALLER-WAKTER declared, “The entire nation is an army, IDF takes care of all people in Israel JNF staff meet several disabled Israelis volunteering on an IDF base through the Special in Uniform program the entire country the front line.” providing military security and as an So it was not surprising, during the JNF inclusive melting pot for Israeli society – staff mission in January, that we visited thus keeping the vision of Ben-Gurion years of being held captive by Hamas. pending IDF airstrike on a building in Gaza several Israel Defense Forces (IDF) bases in alive. Tel Nof is a regular stop on JNF staff that was suspected of housing Hamas keeping with the JNF’s own vision of On that visit, we were happy to meet a missions and regular JNF missions as the terrorists and/or weaponry. He explained supporting Israel. contingent of disabled young people base is home to several JNF Canada that, to minimize civilian casualties in a The IDF Home Front Command emerged serving Israel and the IDF through a projects – green spaces for soldiers, family defensive operation, they drop a small from the ongoing need to keep all civilians program called Special in Uniform. meeting areas, etc. – and serves as a explosive at the corner of the target informed of emergencies. Its overarching Started by Lt. Col. (Res.) Ariel Almog, classroom for visitors. But, this year, the building to ensure the people within it objective is to save lives. It is home to Special in Uniform enables youth with lessons were different. leave prior to the building being destroyed. civilian protection 24 hours a day and disabilities to fulfi l their dreams and more In the past, the IDF representatives Then he rolled a brief sequence in which home to mobile search and rescue units. fully participate in – and contribute to – displayed an abundance of pride, privilege we saw a small explosion at the corner of We were told the Jerusalem Unit – the unit Israeli society. In collaboration with Reena, and testosterone as they showcased their the screen followed by several small black JNF staff visited – was itself hit seven times a Jewish agency in Toronto that works truly amazing feats of courage and success dots in motion – the people inside – exit- during Operation Protective Edge. with children, adults and seniors with in the face of high stakes and considerable ing the building. Upon our arrival, we were greeted by developmental disabilities, and now odds. It was all about Israel. This year, the “We know we are being judged by the Major Amir Ben-David who is most potentially with JNF Canada, Special in tone was noticeably softer, quieter and, world, but, at the end of the day, we have recognized as the fi rst Israeli to land in Uniform operates throughout Israel perhaps, even more humble. to live with ourselves,” our IDF host said. Haiti, arriving less than 24 hours after the offering special education centres and Our IDF host, who remained nameless In some ways, we realized, those of us island country’s devastating earthquake in volunteer programs on IDF bases. to us, gave us an overall introduction to who support Israel in countries like 2010. The Tel Nof Air Force base, which is on the history of the base and moved quickly Canada have transformed ourselves into a Ben-David loomed large on a small call 24 hours a day, houses fi ghter and to talk about the IDF’s knock-on-roof Diaspora Command. Perhaps we are all stage before us as he told of landing a 747 helicopter squadrons and special IDF strategy used during Operation Protective part of the nation of which Ben-Gurion in the middle of the devastation, setting units. It was to this base that Gilad Schalit Edge last summer in Gaza. spoke and are now also on the front line up a mobile hospital and saving lives of returned on October 18, 2011 after fi ve He showed us thermal footage of a for Israel. 4 March 30, 2015 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM Jews are on front lines defending Ukraine, says Jewish leader on visit to Ottawa

BY MONIQUE ELLIOT government and non-governmental Congress (UCC). n a visit to Ottawa, March 3, a organizations. Zissels has been an activist since the Ukrainian Jewish leader called “I’m proud of the fact that Jews took early 1970s and has experienced repres- for Ukrainian and Jewish part in Maidan,” he said, referring to sion from aggressive regimes. He was Ocommunities around the Ukraine’s independence square, which twice sentenced to three-year stints in world to stand together against Russian has become a hub for major political high security penal colonies for his aggression. demonstrations in recent years. underground democratic activism before About 50 people, mostly from “Today, Jews are fi ghting on the front the fall of the Soviet Union. Zionist Ottawa’s Ukrainian community, … and so I have hope that together we documents, Hebrew textbooks, general attended a town hall meeting at the can unite to stop this aggression,” he democratic documents and an Israeli Ukrainian Cultural Centre with Josef said. magazine were among the materials Zissels, a vice-president of the World He said volunteers – many of them used as evidence to convict him. Jewish Congress and chair of the Euro- Jewish – are joining with the Ukrainian Zissels said he received positive Asian Jewish Congress. He was in Ottawa military to make a difference on the feedback from both Jewish community front lines. and Ukrainian community leaders to speak about recent military and PHOTO: MONIQUE ELLIOT political aggression by Russia in Ukraine Zissels spoke in Ukrainian through during his visit to Canada. If the World Jewish Congress Vice-President and about ethnic relations there. He also interpreters Natalia Romas and Orest Canadian Ukrainian community takes a Josef Zissels discusses Russian aggression in met with offi cials from the federal Zakydalsky of the Ukrainian Canadian leadership role in a coalition con- Ukraine, March 3, at the Ukrainian Cultural demning Russia’s aggression, Jewish Centre in Ottawa. communities are likely to ally them- Athens Rugs Ltd. Allan Taylor selves with the cause as well, he among the attendees that carried on suggested. long after the town hall meeting was HIGH QUALITY FLOORING ■ GROUP PLANS ■ LIFE INSURANCE “The Jewish people have lived adjourned. Carpet Hardwood Ceramic ■ DISABILITY INSURANCE through the Holocaust and therefore we “Mr. Zissels showed there are people Laminate Cork Vinyl ■ PENSION and RRIFs must feel more than most the infl uence who are willing to bring out the best in 1365 Cyrville Road 613-244-9073 of aggressors, [whether] authoritarian or themselves; and that Ukrainians, [email protected] totalitarian,” Zissels said. “We feel it irrespective of their origins and profes- 613-741-4261 more than all other nations because our sions, or their religions, are able to come www.athensrugs.com families, our parents, were lost in the together and work for a common cause,” e: [email protected] Holocaust, and in Soviet camps.” said UCC Executive Director Taras Since 1975 www.taylorfi nancial.ca Zissels’ talk sparked discussions Zalusky. Happy Passover! MICHAEL GENNIS Sales Representative

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Jewish Family Services: A pillar of support lation, and enhance participants’ wellbeing. counselling and These programs have the added benefit of support services for For close to 35 years, Jewish Family community who are living in poverty. JFS caregiver relief by being able to provide a children and youth, students, Services of Ottawa has been serving the provides Jewish Holiday funding to assist day of respite. individuals, couples, and families. most vulnerable members of the Jewish with the extra cost of celebrating the Recently, and thanks to funding from We also provide group counselling Community. Through Jewish traditions, Jewish Holidays. Every month, Miriam’s The Conference on Jewish Material Claims focused on specific issues, such as anger values and culture, we are building a com- Well provides fresh fruits and vegetables to Against Germany (Claims Conference), JFS management and grief. munity where people can learn to care for over 120 low income Jewish individuals and has been able to increase services to the Complementing The Counselling Group, themselves and each other with dignity, families and, working in collaboration with rapidly aging Holocaust survivor popula- JFS has been the lead agency in establishing respect, and compassion. the Kosher Food Bank, over 80 of our tion. These funds allow us to assist these the Walk-in Counselling Clinic in Ottawa JFS offers services in five main areas: tikvah clients use this valuable resource to Kedoshim, by providing funding for den- and the surrounding areas. The clinic pro- The Tikvah program for low income Jewish help mitigate the costs of keeping kosher. tal assistance, medical assistance, medical vides immediate counselling services to individuals and families, The Thelma The Thelma Steinman Seniors Support equipment, food assistance, transportation individuals, couples, and families and Steinman Seniors Support Services, Services is designed to assist Jewish seniors services, and case management. Currently, requires no referrals or appointments. Holocaust Survivors, Shalom Bayit and and their families in accessing the resources we are serving over 100 survivors. Clients are seen on a on a first-come, first- The Counselling Group. These pillars are and services needed to maximize indepen- The Shalom Bayit programs works to serve basis. By providing immediate support the foundation of our agency and guide us dent living, enhance quality of life, and create an atmosphere in Jewish Ottawa that to people when they are most distressed, in creating and instituting programs that help break the isolation that many seniors is safe for our families and our children. professional counsellors are able to support strengthen the Jewish Community. experience. We offer social work services, The program is designed to offer confiden- people in crisis, prevent situations from The Tikvah Program provides one-time social programs, transportation, Kosher tial and anonymous services for women escalating, and even reduce the anxiety or or monthly financia l assistance, information Meals on Wheels, Russian programing for experiencing abuse. These services include, distress that waiting for help can create. and referral services, crisis intervention, seniors, chaplaincy services, friendly visit- planning for safety, counselling, advoca- It is through providing services and and social work counselling for Jewish ing, and daily reassurance calls. cy, financial assistance, exploring options, meeting the needs of our community the people living below the Low-Income We also offer two Adult Day Programs and transition assistance. On average, the Jewish Family Services is the pillar of Cut-Off (LICO). for seniors with mild and moderate cogni- Shalom Bayit assists 30 women a year living support within the Jewish Community. In addition to the monthly financial assis- tive impairment. The program provides an in and trying to leave abusive relationships. For more information about JFS, tance, additional funds and programs are enjoyable day of activities designed to main- The Counselling Group, a program of visit www.jfsottawa.com or email offered to assist the members of our Jewish tain independence, provide cognitive stimu- Jewish Family Services, offers a full range of [email protected]. 6 March 30, 2015 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM

judgment. Our community has often demon- ‘Although we may have strated passionate responses to issues we face, and I hope this energy can be used different customs to make us stronger, not divide us. We may not always agree, but we should disagree respectfully, offering construct- and traditions, we need ive criticism rather than by complaining and maligning. It is easy to point out the negative, but then it is necessary to step to sing in harmony’ up and help fi nd solutions. At the Passover table, we are reminded would like to share. and can sometimes be challenging! that, in adverse conditions, Moshe could

FEDERATION REPORT Over the past few years, I have been Another staple is the singing of Aleynu not rely solely on his passion to free the STEVEN KIMMEL privileged to attend synagogue services near the completion of each service. Israelites from slavery, he needed the CHAIR in many different countries and cities. This is where the “aha moment” co-operation and commitment of one What I fi nd so interesting is that, for comes in. and all. few weeks ago, my wife Shelli Jews, the spectrum of services and In Ottawa, we are blessed to have a The parallel to my Cape Town Purim and I travelled to South Africa customs may differ, and the siddur used Jewish community that offers program- experience, and to our community in with a group of friends. in the various congregations may vary, ming reaching out to all factions of our Ottawa, is that, although we may have We were in Cape Town for but there are always certain common diverse population. This concept different customs and traditions, we A applies to our synagogues, our educa- need to sing in harmony. Purim and attended Megillah readings prayers and tunes that remain constant. at two different shuls. While attending For example, reciting Kaddish in any tional systems, and more. What is My family and I wish you all a Chag services and listening to the Megillah shul is virtually the same, although I critical is that we respect the opinions Kasher V’Sameach. reading, I had an “aha moment” that I have found that the speed level varies and traditions of one another without Am Yisroel Chai – b’shalom.

friends – how much the ordinary is truly The ordinary is extraordinary extraordinary. We do this at the same time as we campuses. For people who do not know reporting that is new. contemplate our history which, by any any better, their picture of Israel is that That is precisely the point. There is measure, is truly off-the-charts extra- of a big bully that tramples on everyone. nothing new in what I am reporting here; ordinary. The confl uence is momentous. I just returned from a group tour to perhaps, therefore, nothing newsworthy. Enjoy it. Israel that was promoted through my But, when the reality on the ground is so radio station, CFRA, and was led by Rev. vastly different from the media percep- John Counsell and me. I joined near the tion, it should be newsworthy. Ottawa Jewish Bulletin tail end of the trip. It is newsworthy that Israel is a VOLUME 79 | ISSUE 10 The people on the tour, who were peace-loving, peace-promoting country. Ottawa Jewish Bulletin Publishing Co. Ltd. mainly from Ottawa and were mostly It is newsworthy that Israel is committed 21 Nadolny Sachs Private, Ottawa, K2A 1R9 Tel: 613 798-4696 | Fax: 613 798-4730 FROM THE PULPIT non-Jewish, returned with a different to the protection of all faiths and their Email: [email protected] RABBI REUVEN BULKA picture of Israel. They visited the holy holy sites. It is newsworthy because the Published 19 times per year. MACHZIKEI HADAS sites of the three main faiths with reality is so different from the picture © Copyright 2015 hardly a blip. Access was easy, though most people have. PUBLISHER hat a difference a few slowed down somewhat by security With all the threats to its very survival, Andrea Freedman thousand miles makes. checks. the ordinary in Israel is, indeed, extra- EDITOR Michael Regenstreif Here in Ottawa, we are just The group literally breathed the fresh ordinary. The culminating message of air of respectfulness for all faiths, amid the seder, “Next year in Jerusalem,” is PRODUCTION MANAGER Wabout fed up with the Brenda Van Vliet snow. But, in Jerusalem last month, my easy movement, security notwithstand- about the ordinary Jerusalem. But BUSINESS MANAGER grandkids, like so many other kids, were ing. And this was not an antiseptic tour ordinary Jerusalem is extraordinary. Barry Silverman all excited about the snow. limited to a tightly bound area. We dare not take the ordinary for The Bulletin, established in 1937 as “a force Roads were closed, Jerusalem shut To their credit, the group was not granted, nor should we allow the picture for constructive communal consciousness,” scared off by reports of terrible events, painted to be such a distortion of the communicates the messages of the Jewish down, there was no school, and kids Federation of Ottawa and its agencies and, as built soon-to-melt snow stuff. What including the summer war with its reality. the city’s only Jewish newspaper, welcomes a could be better? rocket attacks, which came at the time We also sometimes do with our diversity of opinion as it strives to inform and enrich the community. Viewpoints expressed Well, lots could be better. But, for now, they had to commit to the trip. Sub- families the same as with Israel; that is, in these pages do not necessarily represent allow me to focus on the reality and the sequent brutal terror attacks in Jerus- taking the ordinary for granted. Pesach the policies and values of the Federation. perception of Israel – a perception that alem did not cause them to change has become, for good reason, quality The Bulletin cannot vouch for the kashrut their plans. family time. of advertised products or establishments could, and should, be better. unless they are certified by Ottawa Vaad As to the perception, we all know how Those of you who travel to Israel often As we hopefully gather in a family HaKashrut or a rabbinic authority recognized much Israel is pilloried in the media, at are probably wondering “what’s the big setting, it is an appropriate time to by OVH. the United Nations, and on university deal?” There is nothing in what I am contemplate the blessing of family and $36 Local Subscription | $40 Canada $60 USA | $179 Overseas | $2 per issue We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage. Breaking news updated daily ISSN: 1196-1929 Publication Mail Agreement No. 40018822

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suggests in her analysis on page 49, the Israeli election campaign comment was racist and divisive. So, would racism and opposition to a was deliberately divisive peace settlement be the face of the next Netanyahu government? Palestinian state?” he asked. Netanyahu, our government has never The day after the election, I saw an “Indeed,” Netanyahu responded. wavered from its offi cial support for a interview with Israeli Ambassador Rafael It was a purposeful message aimed at negotiated two-state solution to the Barak on CBC News Network’s Power and getting hardline supporters of other right confl ict. Politics. The ambassador, when asked wing parties to coalesce around Likud. While Netanyahu understood that about those statements, suggested they With polls consistently showing right changing his public stance on a two-state were made in the heat of a campaign and wing support stagnant and Likud trailing solution would help keep him in the would be dialled back.

FROM THE THE FROM EDITOR the Zionist Union led by Isaac Herzog, the Prime Minister’s Offi ce, he also surely And, sure enough, Netanyahu himself MICHAEL REGENSTREIF prime minister understood his path to understood that such a policy would took to American TV the next day, to do victory could well depend on drawing further isolate him – and Israel – on the just that. ike many, I was terribly unhappy, voters away from other right wing parties. world stage and would provide ammuni- “I don’t want a one-state solution, I as the Israeli election campaign And it worked. The number of right tion to those seeking to delegitimize the want a sustainable peaceful two-state wound down, to see Prime wing seats in the new Knesset will be the Jewish state. solution, but, for that, circumstances LMinister Benjamin Netanyahu same as in the last one – but signifi cantly Truth be told, reaching the two-state have to change,” he told NBC corres- seemingly reverse his support for a more of them will be held by Likud MKs. solution is highly unlikely under the pondent Andrea Mitchell, pointing to two-state solution to Israel’s confl ict with I believe the two-state solution is the current Palestinian leadership – and the Islamist turmoil in the Middle East and the Palestinians; a stand he has taken – only resolution to the confl ict that will current Israeli leadership. Palestinian the Palestinian Authority’s recent at least publicly – since a 2009 speech at protect Israel’s future as a Jewish and Authority President Mahmoud Abbas arrangements with Hamas. Bar-Ilan University. democratic state and offer Palestinians walked away from a 2008 settlement And about his comments on Arab But, in an interview published March the ability to build their own state and offer that should have ended the confl ict. voters, Netanyahu said he wasn’t trying 16, the day before the election, Netan- future. And it is a position that has been And, since then, he has used any and to suppress Arab voters, he was trying to yahu told NRG, a Hebrew-language Israeli consistently supported by the majority of every excuse to avoid negotiations. stand up to “foreign-funded” efforts to news website, “I think anyone who is Israelis in countless opinion polls. And Netanyahu’s government has topple his government by getting out the going to establish a Palestinian state and The two-state solution is also sup- frequently taken actions – particularly in Arab vote. “I was calling on our voters to to evacuate territory is giving radical ported by the governments of virtually regard to settlement expansion – that it come out.” Islam a staging ground against the State every Western democracy – from the knew would give the Palestinians the It will likely be some weeks before we of Israel. This is the reality that has been countries of the European Union to the reasons they need to justify avoiding know the composition of Israel’s next created here in recent years. Anyone who United States to here in Canada. Yes, even negotiations. government. While it appears probable ignores it has his head in the sand.” Canada, where our prime minister, And then, on Election Day itself, that a right wing coalition will emerge, I Perhaps taken aback, the interviewer Stephen Harper, seems to be almost Netanyahu took to Facebook to rally his can’t help but think, after such a deliber- sought clarifi cation from Netanyahu. “If alone among world leaders in having a supporters because Arab-Israelis were ately divisive campaign, that a national you are a prime minister, there will be no genuine personal friendship with voting “in droves.” As Barbara Crook unity government is what’s truly needed.

of them and how he worried about them. The shiva last summer was not in Understanding what Jerusalem, and I only had a brief Sunday afternoon there before fl ying home. That was the only time I could see Jan. As I ultimate sacrifi ce is all about walked into his eerily silent and empty store – there were no tourists during the brother Tzur, also a young offi cer, also As I look forward to my visit, I can’t war – he was surprised to see me. He served in the Gaza war. help but refl ect on how what I experi- sensed something was wrong. During the shiva, I learned a lot about enced last summer amounts to many I told him I was in Israel for a bad what I described as the heart-wrenching unforgettable life lessons. And, looking reason as I recounted my daughter side of Israeli life: the resolve, the accept- back, I know there was one particular Emmanuelle’s connection to Hadar ance, and the overwhelming sadness that moment in time that has given me a Goldin. It was as if he was hit by a

IDEAS AND IDEAS IMPRESSIONS accompanies every Israeli soldier’s death. better understanding of what ultimate thunderbolt. He sat down reached for his JASON MOSCOVITZ As I refl ect back now, I remember how, sacrifi ce is all about. cell phone and began searching his despite the sadness, I never saw a tear from During my many visits to Israel over photos. Something had turned his a family member – at least not in public. the years, I became friends with a attention to fi nding a specifi c image in t 3 am in a darkened airplane So much has happened since. For one, I merchant who owns a Judaica shop in his phone. somewhere over the Atlantic, have a new grandson, my fi rst grandchild, Jerusalem. His name is Jan. He came to It seemed like a long time until he I’m thinking about my trip. whom I am going to see for the fi rst time Israel from Iran. He has a big smile and a located the close-up of a young, bearded AThere is so much to think when I arrive. Shalev Hadar Goldin was wonderful collection of Jewish collect- soldier serving as a front pallbearer of a about. born in Jerusalem in January. What a ables, which he is proud to showcase simple fl ag draped military coffi n. It is my third trip to Israel in 12 months. moment in my life to celebrate! But, I and sell. “This is my son,” Jan told me. “He is Two were planned visits with my daugh- know for the Goldin family, the joyous Since 2006, I have spent time talking carrying Hadar’s coffi n.” ters and their extended Israeli families. occasion of Shalev’s arrival was tempered with him in his shop. I have even In a strained voice, he told me his son The reason for the unscheduled trip, by their continued mourning. watched his place for him while he went to Yeshiva with Hadar and Hadar’s which I wrote about last August, was the As I close my eyes, I keep thinking slipped out to take care of something. twin brother and they became close death of my daughter’s brother-in-law in about how painful the last eight months Every time I visit, his eyes light up as he friends. He then sat down and stared into last summer’s war in Gaza. have been for my machatunim, the comes from behind the counter to give space, not saying another word until I Hadar Goldin was a 23-year-old lieuten- Goldins, and their children. While being me a welcoming bear hug. left. He didn’t have to say anything to be ant who was killed in a Gaza tunnel on tough in public is what is expected, in I knew from a photo near his cash understood. His sons made it home. one of the last days of the war. He was private – so I have been told – it is like register that he also had three sons His silence and grief were for another killed in action during a ceasefi re a month learning how to breathe and how to walk serving in the army. He talked about them family he knew and admired who lost before he was to be married. His twin again. when asked, always saying he was proud one of their sons on the battlefi eld. 8 March 30, 2015 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM

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OJCS HIGH SCHOOL there are a multiple forces impeding the health of our I am writing in response to the article by OJCS Grade 12 Jewish community. Knowledge and retention of culture student Hannah Srour (“Where will families commit- are key success factors. ted to Jewish education send their kids,” February 23). Gerry Pulvermacher Sandy Hill $3,700/month Charming 3 bed, 4 bath on a double lot with large The decision to close the high school was not done principal rooms. Imm. occupancy. www.84Russell.com lightly. Nor was it was done quickly. I know that the OJCS HIGH SCHOOL (3) leaders and educators of our community worked long It was with interest that I read the columns regarding and hard to fi nd a way to make the high school viable. the phasing out of the Ottawa Jewish Community For years, the high school was a drain on our resour- School (OJCS) high school division by OJCS Board ces, but we kept it open so that we could provide Jewish Chair Aaron Smith and Jewish Federation of Ottawa education from kindergarten through Grade 12. I am President and CEO Andrea Freedman (March 9). confi dent that this was a diffi cult decision for the OJCS I agree that there is very little interest within Ottawa’s Board to make, and I believe it was the right decision to Jewish community for a Jewish high school. Indeed, KANATAKANATA -$319,000-$319,0000 close the high school. total enrolment in Jewish day and supplemental Beaufully maintainedmaininntaiainedd 3 bed,bed, 2.52.5 bathbatbba h linklinkin singlesinglng e on a mature For almost 20 years, we struggled to make the high 32’x104’ lot. RenoRenobo bbathrooms,athat rooooms, nenewew hhwdwd floooors!rs! MainM lvl family schools has declined from 881 students in 2005/2006 to rooroom.m.m wwwwww.53Emeraldmeadows.com.5353EEmeraldmeadows.com school viable and, for a variety of reasons, it never took 692 students in 2013/2014 and will probably continue to off. So it is time to be realistic and focus our energy and decline into the near future. The question is how to BARRHAVEN NEW PRICE -$329,000 money on a strong foundation, kindergarten through Family approved three bed, 2.5 bath end unit freehold townhome reverse that trend. The Federation strategic plan in a choice locaon! Hwd floors, main level den, fenced yard. Grade 8. addressed this issue, although I do not think that Highly recommended @ www.257Felicia.com I am glad Hannah had a positive experience closing a school was one of the proposed solutions. attending the OJCS high school. But I ask, is she aware QUEENSWAYQUEENSWAY TETERRACERRACEE SOUTHSOUTH -$369,900-$369, I believe that Smith and Freedman erred in how they Immaculateate 3+1 bededd bubungalowngalowloow oon a quiququietet crecrescents by the of the cost of her Jewish high school education and who determined the number of Jewish teens potentially park. Reno kitchen,kitchen, updatedupdadad teded windows,wiw ndows,ws shshinglesiingles & much more! has funded her and her classmates? available for Jewish high school [by citing the total 50’ x 119’11911 ’ lot.lot. www.2wwww.2323Ba323Badger.comdger.com The new task force will explore alternatives. Let’s go number of Jewish teens estimated to live in Ottawa]. forward. The correct number [would be the total number of Luxurious 2 bedroom + den condominium offers 1,380 sq w/ hwd Rhoda Levitan students who have graduated from Jewish elementary floors throughout. 2 parking spaces. 30 day poss. day schools]. Over the past few years, approximately 30 www.809-120GrantCarman.com OJCS HIGH SCHOOL (2) students graduated from all of the day schools. Using I read, with great interest and astonishment, the letters this as a baseline, over the past four years, 120 students Renovated 2+1 bedroom bungalow on a mature 60’ x 92’ lot. in the March 9 issue of the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin have graduated from all Jewish elementary day schools, Updated windows, hwd floors and so much more. 30 day poss. www.1624Fisher.com protesting the closure of the OJCS high school. Let me of which, about 20 are enrolled in the OJCS high school. be short and to the point. It is not the OJCS Board that Perhaps a better measure would be to compare the level decided to close the high school; it was our community. of retention from kindergarten to Grade 8 with that of Bright three bebedroomedroom bungalowbungaloww localolocatetedddo oonn a dedeadada end street in a desirable neighborhood.ighghborbo hood.d HarHaHardwooddwood floors,ooo rs, fencedfenced rear yard and When Jewish children are sent to private schools in Grade 8 to Grade 9. more!e! Immed.Immmmed.e poss.poss. @ www.1915Bromwww.1915Bromley.comle signifi cant numbers, not only is the high school The real issue is the fact that the OJCS elementary unsustainable, it’s only a matter of time before the school attracts about 200 students out of approximately CENTRETOWNCENTRETOWOWN -$555,000-$555,000 1,000 school-aged Jewish children. By increasing the Upscale open conceptconceceept 2 bed,bed, 2 fullfull bbathroomathroom condomincondo ium with over elementary school becomes so too. 1,300 sq . ExquisiteExquisitete finnishings!ishis ings! ParkingParPa kking & lockerlock included. If we want a robust Ottawa Jewish community, where number of students at the elementary level and by wwwwww.604-320Mcleod.com.606 4-320Mcleod.com synagogues retain their membership and Jewish making their experience such that continuation into identity remains strong, we need to support Jewish high school is attractive, high school enrolment should WESTBORO -$619,000 Charming three bedroom semi-bungalow on a 50’x100’ lot features a education to the hilt by sending our children and increase. Again, the devil is in the details, but, reviving a renovated kitchen, updated shingles, furnace, windows + + + grandchildren to OJCS and by contributing fi nancially “dead” school will not make the task easier. A 2 minute walk to the river. www.276Atlans.com to retain its viability. We no longer live in shtetls, and Murray J. Kaiserman SSANDYANDY HILL -$-$ 639,000639,000000 Capvang twotwo bedroombedrede oom plplususs den coconondododominiumminium with large entertainment-sized-sizs ed principalprincincn palpa rooms.ror oms..O OOnene of a kind wwith many up- dates! Flexiblelexiex ble poppossessionssession @ www.www.5-31Russell.com5-31Russe LETTERS WELCOME Gorgeous and upgraded 2 bedroom, 2 full bathroom condominium over 1,600 sq. . with 9’ ceilings! River views! Immediate posses- Letters to the Editor are welcome if they are brief, signed, timely, and of interest to our readership. The sion. Move in condion. @ www.1504-3580Rivergate.com Bulletin reserves the right to refuse, edit or condense letters. The Mailbag column will be published as CENTREPOINTE—$669,000 space permits. Main level master bedroom provides easy living on one level with addional bedrooms and a lo on the second level. Fabulous loca- on. Flex poss. @ www.14Palisade.com Send your letters to Michael Regenstreif, Ottawa Jewish Bulletin

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Capvang open concept two bedroom condominium with over 1,800 sq. . of luxurious living space! Hwd floors, two parking spac- es! Concierge, 24-7 security, indoor pool, guest suites + Flex poss. Wishing You All a Happy @ www.1102-3580Rivergate.com Passover Holiday JEFF GREENBERG SALES REPRESENTATIVE 613-580-2473 ROYAL LEPAGE TEAM REALTY @BarrhavenJan (613) 725-1171 facebook.com/BarrhavenJanHarder E-mail: [email protected] www.jeffreygreenberg.com Elaine & Frank Goldstein www.JanHarder.com www.cactustzimmer.com March 30, 2015 9 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM

Advertorial Florence Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning set to return in the fall

BY LOUISE RACHLIS SJCC as the Bible as Literature, FOR SOLOWAY JCC History of Zionism, Israeli Alan More than trees Lynda he popular Florence Literature, Maimonides, and Blostein Taller-Wakter 613.798.2411 Melton School of Adult many others,” Miska said. “Now President Executive Jewish Learning at the the SJCC is bringing back the [email protected] Director TSoloway Jewish Melton School so that more Community Centre (SJCC) is people can experience the JEWISH NATIONAL FUND being brought back after a superb curriculum and Rabbi fi ve-year hiatus. Garten’s expert teaching.” JNF partner ALUT gets UN advisory NGO status Florence Zacks Melton, who At this year’s AIPAC conference in Washington, the United “Melton mini-university is an Nations recognized ALUT (Israeli Society for Autistic Children) intensive exploration of the died in 2007, was an American with advisory NGO status. This status gives ALUT considerable fundamentals of Judaism,” said inventor known for innovations influence with key UN committees. JNF Ottawa is proud to Rabbi Steven Garten, rabbi such as the foam-soled and support an ALUT research project for this year’s Negev Dinner emeritus of Temple Israel, who washable slipper. In 1968, she celebrating Barry and Allan Baker on October 15. has been working on restarting married industrialist and the program. “The curriculum is philanthropist Samuel M. denominational neutral and is Melton. textually based so that the skill With 50 locations worldwide, of critically reading Jewish texts the Florence Melton School of is developed.” Adult Jewish Learning is the “The Melton School is an Rabbi Steven Garten will offer sample classes largest pluralistic adult Jewish engaging guide for people from the Melton School curriculum, April 30, at education network in the world. seeking a deeper understanding the SJCC. Rabbi Garten will teach a free of Jewish life and history, and a sample class and provide an worthy use of time,” added orientation to the Melton School Maxine Miska, SJCC assistant executive director. on Thursday, April 30 from 10 to 11 am and from 7:30 to The curriculum is written specifi cally for the 8:30 pm at the SJCC. Diaspora, said Rabbi Garten. “One of the goals of the Former Melton students and those who have been curriculum is to provide knowledgeable Jewish leaders. enrolled in the SJCC’s Enlightened Jewish Education 50 years ago this month at JNF Ottawa Members of Parliament, senators, synagogue presidents program have the necessary prerequisite to register for We are very proud that JNF Negev Dinners are still going and board members, and Federation leaders have all two new Melton graduate courses to be offered in the fall. strong 50 years after the community gathered to honour Alex learned in Melton.” For more information, contact Roslyn Wollock, SJCC Betcherman z”l. The graduate courses provide an in-depth look at Adult Program manager at [email protected] or modern issues such as Israeli-Palestinian relations. 613-798-9818, ext. 254. From 2004 to 2010, the SJCC operated the Florence

Melton School, providing “a sophisticated, challenging forum for Jewish learning,” said Miska, “with lively discussion of excerpts from Jewish texts from the Bible ShowShow IsraelIsrael YouYou CareCare!! to contemporary philosophy.” Through four logically arranged courses developed by Volunteer as a Civilian worker the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, students encoun- for 2 or 3 weeks tered topics ranging from the revelation at Sinai, to assisted suicide, to the Golden Age and subsequent expulsion from Spain. Nearly 250 students enrolled in the program in its fi rst incarnation in Ottawa, and graduates received a certifi - cate from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. “Many of these Melton students have continued to take such Enlightened Jewish Education courses at the

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Ryan and Ashlyn; and Eli. Diane Koven BA(Hons.) CFP® CDFA CHS 613-728-1223 ext 2235 Free: accommodations, kosher meals, trips, events. [email protected] Cost: air fare, $100 registration, weekend expenses. On a daily basis you can plant trees for all occasions. An attrac- www.sunlife.ca/diane.koven 1525 Carling Avenue, Suite 600 416-781-6089 or [email protected] tive card is sent to the recipient. Ottawa, ON K1Z 8R9 514-735-0272 or [email protected] To order, call the JNF office *Mutual funds offered by Sun Life Financial Investment Services (Canada) Inc. www.sarelcanada.org (613.798.2411). Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada is a member of the www.sarelcanada.org Sun Life Financial group of companies. © Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada, 2014. Life’s brighter under the sun Programs start approximatelyapproximately every every 3 3 weeksweeks.. www.JNFOttawa.ca 10 March 30, 2015 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM Federation hosts teacher Chag Sameach! workshops as part of And a Healthy Passover to all our Donors, Supporters and Friends Jewish education initiative OTTAWA CHAPTER BY SARAH BEUTEL Melanie Eisen, assistant director for JEWISH FEDERATION OF OTTAWA professional development at Yeshiva Seymour Eisenberg, President ast month, in a fi rst-of-its-kind University’s Institute for University- Phone: 613-224-2500 Email: [email protected] initiative, teachers from each of School Partnership, led the day school Ottawa’s Jewish day schools – workshop. Geared to secular and Judaic Sam Litwack, Honorary National Director Phone: 613-738-7778 / Fax: 613-738-1752 LOttawa Jewish Community School, studies’ teachers, the topic was differenti- Email: [email protected] Rambam Day School, Torah Academy of ated assessment or how to determine Ottawa, and Ottawa Torah Institute High whether the different types of learners in a School for Boys/Machon Sarah High classroom all understand the materials School for Girls – came together at the being taught. This was identifi ed by school Soloway Jewish Community Centre for a directors as being critical, given that BSD joint professional development workshop. teachers need to appreciate the diverse The initiative, launched by the Jewish learning styles of each of their students. THIS YEAR Federation of Ottawa, was to promote Rabbi Yisroel Goldbaum, the principal co-operation among the schools. of Torah Academy, was very pleased with DON’T PASS US OVER Following consultations with each of the the results of the workshop. day schools, the four participating schools “The workshop was not only interesting met to discuss ways in which the schools and thought provoking, but it provided Members of the Jewish Community might co-operate for the benefi t of all. One teachers with practical tools they were (singles, students, couples and families) of the ideas was shared training for excited to bring to their classrooms. It also teachers, which was recognized as a way to provided a great opportunity for teachers are cordially invited to attend the make a real difference in pedagogy in all of to collaborate with colleagues from other the schools. schools,” Rabbi Goldbaum said. “Federation’s strategic plan calls for During her visit to Ottawa, Eisen also Passover Seders greater collaboration between our led a workshop for supplementary school agencies, and professional development is teachers. always of benefi t for our day schools,” said Teachers from Ottawa’s Jewish supple- Friday, April 3, 2015 Bram Bregman, Federation vice-president mentary schools have been getting of Community Building. “This is a great together annually since 2011 for joint and example of different Jewish agencies professional development. These sessions working together toward a common goal, have been made possible through funding Saturday, April 4, 2015 and Federation is proud to have made it provided by Federation. happen.” The topic for this year’s session was at the home of Maureen Molot, a past-chair of the “Classroom Management – Five Minute Federation, and a distinguished research Strategies.” Teachers took away new ideas, Dr. Joseph and Devora Caytak professor at Carleton University, was shared some of their techniques, and were 185 Switzer Avenue actively involved in working with the provided with access to useful on-line Federation and the day schools to fi nd resources. No charge To reserve call: 613-729-7712 ways to improve Jewish education in Janet Kaiman, principal of Ottawa Ottawa. Modern Jewish School, said she liked that A project of the Jewish Youth Library of Ottawa, “There has been a revolution in this year’s workshop provided an oppor- Chaya Mushka Building teaching with all the new technologies tunity for supplementary school teachers available to teachers and students,” said to refresh their skills, learn some new Molot. “Everyone is interested in how to ones, and were able to exchange ideas Graciously sponsored by Joel and Rachel Diena. improve the learning experience for with teachers from their own and other students.” schools.

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Breaking news updated daily at www.ottawajewishbulletin.com March 30, 2015 11 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM

SHUTTERSTOCK The Jewish English Lexicon tells you the etymology and origin of words that Jews love to use. Tales from the Jewniverse

BY ZACHARY SOLOMON It’s all quite helpful if you want to Jewniverse is a daily email list and know more about, say, bageling. blog featuring extraordinary, inspira- tional, forgotten, and just-plain-strange dispatches from Jewish culture, tradition THE ONLY and history. KOSHER BUTCHER SHOP Sign up at www.TheJewniverse.com. IN CUBA For the kashrut-observant Cuban, A NEW GUIDE TO THE there’s only one place to go for a piece of SECRET MEANING meat. OF JEWISH WORDS Situated on Acosta Street in Old What do Jews speak? The answer isn’t Havana is Cuba’s sole kosher butcher exactly simple. And how could it be, shop. For nearly 70 years, the privately when Yiddish, Aramaic, ancient and run business has provided kosher beef to modern Hebrew, Ladino, and Arabic all the country’s Jews, and only to the Jews play into the mix? – non-Jewish Cubans receive rations for Which is why the Jewish English pork, available in vastly limited supply Lexicon – http://tinyurl.com/Jewish- elsewhere. English-Lexicon – feels so necessary. The fact that there’s even one kosher The Jewish English Lexicon, a collabora- butcher is improbable at best. After tive repository of the distinctively Jewy Castro’s 1959 revolution, a precursor to words used by English-speaking Jews, the country’s stringent communism, helps organize our slippery, ever-growing virtually all private businesses were lingua franca. nationalized. But not the local kosher “Think of it as the Wikipedia or Urban butcher shop. Dictionary of Jewish language,” states the Perhaps to avoid claims of anti- website’s welcome. Semitism, the government allowed the The philosophy behind the Jewish butcher shop to remain open, and now English Lexicon is that the words English- goes as far as to make sure it’s stocked speaking Jews use indicate not only that even when non-kosher ones are running they’re Jews, but what kind of Jew they out of meat. are, too. It’s not easy eating meat in Cuba. For instance, an English speaker who Cows are the property of the state, and uses the word avodah (work) has a Cubans claim it’s a far worse crime to be higher likelihood of having attended a caught slaughtering a cow than a Jewish summer camp; whereas one who person. uses the phrase ba’al teshuvah to refer to So who runs this place? Adath Israel, a secular Jew who became religious is Cuba’s only Orthodox synagogue, sees to most likely Orthodox. its upkeep. Really, though, it’s just one A visitor can peruse at random, or guy. Yakob Berezniak Hernandez is not narrow their search by language of origin, just the cantor, or the entirety of the regions in which the word is most used, burial committee, or the treasurer. He’s types of people who tend to use the word, also the country’s only shochet (ritual and dictionaries in which the word slaughterer). appears. That’s a lot of work for a nice brisket. 12 March 30, 2015 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM

Rabbis’ Round Table A discussion on the Supreme Court of Canada’s ruling on doctor-assisted death

BY MICHAEL REGENSTREIF represented in Ottawa would discuss EDITOR issues of importance. This important Last month, the Supreme Court of Supreme Court decision provides a vital Canada issued a unanimous decision in opportunity to introduce the Rabbis’ the case of Carter vs. Canada striking Round Table. down the criminal prohibition of doctor- We invited rabbis representing the fi ve assisted death in Canada. The Court also major Jewish denominations active in suspended the judgment for one year to Ottawa to submit an article illustrating allow Parliament to create appropriate their thoughts and/or the position of laws to regulate the matter. their movements on the Court’s decision The judgment has implications on or the issues it addresses. many levels, including the rights of both The invited rabbis were Rabbi Reuven patients and physicians, the concerns of Bulka (Orthodox), Rabbi Barry loved ones, as well as moral and religious Schlesinger (Conservative), Rabbi dilemmas. Norman Klein (Reform), Rabbi Elizabeth For some time, we’ve been hoping to Bolton (Reconstructionist) and Rabbi introduce a new (occasional) feature – Menachem Blum (Chabad). the Rabbis’ Round Table – to the Ottawa Articles by four of the rabbis follow. Jewish Bulletin in which rabbis drawn Rabbi Schlesinger declined to participate from the various Jewish denominations in this fi rst Rabbis’ Round Table. Would you like to advertise in the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin?

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Rabbis’ Round Table Supreme Court decision need not be divisive

BY RABBI REUVEN BULKA should) that Canada as a country embra- Canadian is granted the care of his or her CONGREGATION MACHZIKEI HADAS ces a wide spectrum, a broad constituency choosing, as was the reality before the he decision everyone was of religious and non-religious groups. Supreme Court decision. anticipating has come, and it Everyone is entitled to rights, which We need to assure that all religions are was not even close. The Supreme include, happily, the right to religious unencumbered in enunciating their TCourt of Canada was unanimous expression, and equally happily, the religious principles regarding end of life. in deciding that not allowing the option absence of the right to impose religion or We need to make sure that the approach of doctor-assisted end-of-life is an non-religion on anyone. to any legislation that derives from this infringement of the fundamental right of Granting those in particularly painful decision clearly affi rms the right to life for “security of the person” guaranteed and agonizing situations the right to everyone, and that any disability or illness under the Canadian Charter of Rights choose the way of dying does not deny does not in any way compromise that Rabbi Reuven Bulka and Freedoms. anyone the right to reject doctor-assisted right to life, and the treatment that such The reaction has been predictably death. Looking at the decision from a situations demand. For example, treat- divided, as much as the decision itself was purely “human rights” perspective, the ment for cancer, even an advanced and protect everyone, no matter what his or predictable. Unanimous decisions are Supreme Court has done nothing more painful cancer, must continue to be her choice. usually predictable. than expand the parameters of rights available. And persons with disabilities There are, of course, other issues that There are a number of observations to when it comes to dying. should never feel that the medical world will need to be tackled in this most make concerning this decision. The fi rst is If we look at the decision from this has turned its collective back on them. complicated matter, a matter which, that we should not blame the Supreme vantage point, we now have a unique We need to make sure this legislation whether or not we realize, is a direct result Court. That august body refl ects Canada, opportunity to come together to assure does not stand in the way of expanding of the incredible advances in life-enhan- and it is safe to say that this is the case in that the new right does not lead to new the availability of fi rst-class palliative care cing and life-saving medicine we have this instance. Witness the rare unanimity. wrong. Those for and against, religious to all Canadians. On the contrary, in an made in the past decades. The second observation is that this and non-religious, have as a common atmosphere of coming together via We have come to a vital juncture in decision need not be divisive. Media have agenda the challenge to assure that all appreciating everyone’s right, we should Canada’s history. All the points above can presented the applause and the boos – but rights are protected. see even more palliative care capacity. be embraced by everyone, regardless of the decision itself actually creates an We need to assure that no doctor is ever We need to make sure that the safe- their own personal position. In a spirit of opportunity for everyone to come pushed into doing what is against that guards any legislation prescribes contain mutual respect for each other, and for together. doctor’s religious, moral or ethical within them an impeccable system of life, we can make this a unifying Religions, with some exceptions, are principles. In a word, a medical option oversight, which is robust and agile, to moment, wherein no one imposes, no against suicide of any type, and certainly dare not become required medical prevent the slightest intrusion on any- one is imposed upon, and everyone’s the doctor-assisted variation. At the same practice. one’s rights regarding death, the reality dignity, however self-defi ned, is time, religious leaders appreciate (or We need to make sure that every that we will all inevitably face. This will protected. 14 March 30, 2015 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM

CBB of Ottawa adds Drew Rothman to its team of directors

Written by David P. Stein

On Wednesday March 4th, Camp B’nai Brith of Ottawa With an education background, he initially obtained his B.A. announced the addition of Drew Rothman as an Assistant (Philosophy) from Concordia University, before pursuing a Director. Master’s degree in education from SUNY Postdam. Drew strongly represents CBB of Ottawa’s three main communities: “I’m thrilled about Drew joining us at CBB of Ottawa this An Ottawa native, he has been teaching English, Mathemat- summer. I believe that he will complement an already strong ics, and Science for the past 10 years at Paul Penna Down- leadership team as the camp continues to move in a forward town Jewish Day School and the Heschel Day School, both direction,” said camp Director, Jonathan Pivnick. in Toronto, and at Akiva School in Montreal . Drew is currently in his fourth year of teaching at the Aki- Drew is well known to the Camp B’nai Brith of Ottawa com- Drew understands that some of the most valuable learning va School in Montreal, where he constantly encourages his munity. He spent 15 summers, beginning as a nine year experiences happen outside of the classroom. He recognizes students to express themselves as individuals. At CBB of Ot- old camper in the A-Boy unit. After finishing his camper that participating in camp life offers children tremendous op- tawa, Drew plans to communicate this very same message career, he rose through the camp ranks as a cabin counselor, portunities for personal growth, making new friendships, ac- to campers of all age groups. He is looking forward to en- specialty head, and eventually assumed Head of Waterfront quiring leadership-development skills, and having the chance couraging campers to try new experiences that will expand duties to cap off his working career at CBB of Ottawa. Drew to discover their identity as individuals. their horizons. and his wife Sarah Rosenhek, whom he met at CBB of Ot- tawa, have a five-year old son, Nate, and a two-year old “I see there being great relationship between my work as The Camp’s Board of Directors is thrilled with this new ad- daughter, Rose. They will all be up at camp with him this teacher, and as Assistant Director –it’s a way to bridge learn- dition. “Jewish summer camping is both an extension, and summer to share the experience. ing that happens for children both in and outside the class- for some, an alternative to more traditional modes of Jewish room. Children mature so much during the course of an education. To add a senior staff member from the Jewish day “I grew up with the Rothman family. I am thrilled to be get- academic year, but the power that a few weeks of camp can school community will only enhance our continuing commit- ting the opportunity to partner with Drew in creating the same have on a child also cannot be understated!” says Rothman. ment to produce the Jewish community leaders of tomorrow” life changing camp experiences, building of friendships and said Board of Directors Chair Michael Polowin. memories, we had as campers!” commented Assistant Direc- tor Cindy Presser Benedek.

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Rabbis’ Round Table Personal evaluation of ‘quality of life’ is acceptable criterion to end one’s life – if the person is an adult of sound mind

BY RABBI NORMAN MARK KLEIN sible to determine. That is to say, the provided that person is an adult of TEMPLE ISRAEL decision that ‘my life is no longer worth sound mind. agree with the Supreme Court of living’ is an inescapably subjective one; What I fi nd convincing in the Canada decision in Carter vs. it cannot be quantifi ed, verifi ed, or Supreme Court ruling is the following Canada. Asked to respond to the tested against any principle other than justifi cation in the full text of the ruling: Idecision in this forum, I do so now, the conviction that one’s suffering is no “The prohibition on physician-assisted not as the Reform response, but, rather, longer tolerable … dying infringes the right to life, liberty as one Reform rabbi’s personal response “Once we have adopted ‘quality of and security of person in a manner that to the issue of whether euthanasia life’ as our standard, we have no princi- is not in accordance with the principles (physician-assisted dying or “mercy pled reason to oppose the suicide of any of fundamental justice. The object of killing”) is permissible under any person (with the possible exception of the prohibition is not, broadly, to circumstances. children and the insane, who by preserve life whatever the circum- In this opinion, I differ not only from defi nition cannot make a ‘responsible stances, but, more specifi cally, to my non-Reform colleagues, but also choice’) … So long as a person con- protect vulnerable persons from being from the printed Responsa issued over cludes that ‘I do not want to live like induced to commit suicide at a time of the years by the Reform Movement this,’ we would have no right to oppose weakness.” through the Central Conference of that decision.” Through thoughtful and careful American Rabbis (CCAR) Responsa In this argument, the CCAR Responsa legislation, a way can be found to ensure Committee (though there may be other Committee, fearing for the lack of the life and security of such persons, so Reform rabbis who agree with my ability to restrict those who might that the dystopic society pictured in the Rabbi Norman Mark Klein position in part or in toto, as each rabbi choose such a way to end their lives science fi ction fi lm Soylent Green, where in our movement is allowed to come to based on any reasonable distinction, people are encouraged to commit his or her own judgment on a given Treatment of the Terminally Ill [5754].” chose to discount any rationale-based suicide by the state, does not occur. In issue). It says, “We are uncomfortable with ‘quality of life.’ my opinion, the individual’s rights over One statement in the Responsa arguments for assisted suicide that To the contrary, it is the very subject- his or her own body, when not impin- particularly struck me as relevant to the proceed from judgments concerning ive nature of such a rationale that leads ging on the life and liberty of others, Supreme Court judgment, although my the ‘quality of life.’ While this standard me to accept one’s own personal trumps all principles and theologies conclusion runs directly counter to that may be persuasive to many, the quality evaluation of ‘quality of life’ as an regarding the inviolability of life itself of the authors of the piece, “On the of life by its nature is virtually impos- acceptable criterion to end one’s life – and its preservation at all costs.

Jim Watson Mayor City of Ottawa

Wishing you and your family all the best during this Passover Season [email protected] • 613-580-2496 • jimwatsonottawa.ca We wish all our friends 110 Laurier Ave West, Ottawa, ON, K1P 1J1 HAPPY NEW YEAR! “Ia verylook Happyforward & toHealthy exceeding Pesach! your From the team at United Kosher Catering expectations.” Yudi Chein 613-853-8024
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Rabbis’ Round Table Mercy and justice at the end of life

BY RABBI ELIZABETH BOLTON healthy state with their present withered wishes about dying and life-sustaining OR HANESHAMAH or helpless one, feeling we are not measures clearly, are giving their loved udaism is grounded in binary bearing witness to a life choice, but to a ones a great gift. Now, in Canada, we all paradigms. The chaos at creation is protracted and unjust death sentence. We have the full range of options to make tohu and vohu. Then comes earth advocate fi ercely for palliative care, those choices for ourselves. Jand water, light and darkness, night home-based care, community care, Others may discuss more fully perspec- and day, male and female. political care, insurance care. We wonder tives from halachah, and the authorita- The Rabbis extend the paradigm in what they would have wished. tive paths our rabbis have navigated theory and in practice; think of Hillel and We shall continue to do all of this. And through the issues of dying and related Shammai. Our innate proclivities are now, for some, there is another choice. At interventions, from the use of life described as yetzer hatov and yetzer hara, the heart of the Supreme Court decision support in terminal illness, to brain death good and bad. The Holy One is the Source is the concern that the criminal ban on and other complex matters. We know of chesed as well as din/gevurah, love and physician-assisted death infringed on those discussions have ranged through mercy balanced with justice and power. patients’ right to life, “as it has the effect the centuries, long before the medical “I set before you this day life and death of forcing some individuals to take their and technological advances of modern Rabbi Elizabeth Bolton and give you blessing and curse … own lives prematurely, for fear that they times created the extraordinary capaci- choose life (Parshat Nitzavim, would be incapable of doing so when ties before us to sustain and extend life. I Deuteronomy 30:19).” they reached the point where suffering rejoice in such achievements, just as condition, she climbs up to the roof Yet, no one among our people can was intolerable.” fi ercely as I bring prayer for healing, and and drops a jug to the ground. The deny that, in the interstices of life and I do not believe there is a single then for ease to those on the slow, shattering sound momentarily distracts death, there is a vast realm of meaning inherent in suffering. When I uncertain journey towards their last the students, and his soul immediately uncertainty. provide spiritual support as a chaplain life-breath. departs. To sit with a suffering loved one, and as a rabbi, my presence in the In the Talmud, there is an unnamed As the legal landscape shifts to permit knowing that death is merely biding its hardest moments of witness or of saying maid whose actions resonate through the medical assistance in dying, I cherish and time – be it a matter of weeks, months or farewells must serve to guide and centuries (Ketubot 104a). Rabbi Yehuda thank this wise woman, as well as the years – is such a realm between. We ask a comfort people in their meaning-making. Hanasi is dying, and his students are wise women and men of our Supreme multitude of whys, and there may not be Those who have prepared wisely and praying unceasingly for his recovery. Court, for removing the barriers to such answers. We contrast their previous well, and have communicated their Having closely witnessed the agony of his chesed (mercy).

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Rabbis’ Round Table BS"D Life is sacred and a gift from God

BY RABBI MENACHEM M. BLUM Rather, we have been endowed MIDTOWN OTTAWA TORAH CENTRE CHABAD with inalienable obligations, THE ONLY KOSHER HOTEL IN MONTREAL hen looking at the duties and responsibilities AFFORDABLE ELEGANCE IN THE HEART recent Supreme towards life, as the entire world OF THE JEWISH COMMUNITY Court of Canada’s (including ourselves) belongs to Wruling on doctor God. Even our relationship with LE GRILL MK GLATT KOSHER RESTAURANT assisted death, we can note the our own lives is defi ned through BANQUET HALL FOR 200 keyword that is the driving force the lens of responsibility as SHABBOS KEYS & ELEVATOR behind this unanimous decision. opposed to rights. From a reli- COMPLIMENTARY KOSHER BREAKFAST The key word is “rights.” The gious perspective, and that’s not NEAR SHULS AND SHOPPING court explained that suffering only Judaism, life is sacred and a INDOOR SWIMMING POOL & SAUNAS patients have a constitutional gift from God, and we are charged FITNESS ROOM, FAMILY SUITES right to doctor-assisted suicide. with the responsibility to protect FREE HIGH-SPEED INTERNET They looked at the Criminal it regardless of whether that life CONFERENCE ROOM, AND MUCH MORE Code’s ban on assisted suicide as resides in our own body or an encroachment on the most someone else’s. 6445 Decarie Boul. (Corner Plamondon) basic rights one is entitled to. The Radbaz, a halachic com- Tel.: 514-739-3800, Fax: 514-739-5616 Toll Free: 1-866-465-3800 When looking at this issue from mentator on Maimonides, put it www.qualityhotelmidtown.com the perspective of rights, it this way: “Man’s life is not his becomes clear why it was a property, but the property of the unanimous opinion. The starting Rabbi Menachem M. Blum Holy One, blessed be He.” point is the belief that each We say it in our prayers every individual is endowed with basic morning, “My God, the soul which rights (life, liberty, security, etc.), which he or she is you have placed within me is pure. You have created it, entitled to protect. These rights are all protected and You have formed it, You have breathed it into me and listed as legal rights in Section 7 of the Canadian Charter You preserve it within me. You will eventually take it of Rights and Freedoms. The function of the legal from me.” system is to ensure these rights are not violated. The In other words, a person’s life (soul) is on loan from basic legal position is that, as long as we have ensured God. We are just the guardians who are entrusted with that these rights are protected, our responsibilities in using it properly and returning it when the time comes. relation to others and in relation to life have been When the time comes, “You will take from me.” satisfi ed. The right to life, liberty and security of the These two perspectives of rights and obligations are person should not exclude the right of one to waive his not only relevant to signifi cant issues such as this recent right to life. ruling. They are perspectives that have implications on The Jewish perspective, however, is that we are not every detail in our lives, on our outlook on life and on here just to enjoy our own rights to life and liberty. the decisions we make. FREE Ask about our FREE hearing aid trials. %HVWZLVKHVWR\RXDQG\RXUIDPLO\ IRUD+DSS\ +HDOWK\3DVVRYHU

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DECEMBER 8, 2014 | 16 KISLEV 5775 ESTABLISHED 1937 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM | $2 Celebrating 40 years Flames of faith to be relit SUBSCRIBE TODAY! of partnership Blostein-Beumer Investment Group The Ottawa Jewish Community Foundation and Jewish Federation of Ottawa have worked together for four decades. Louise Rachlis 50 O’Connor Street, Suite 800, Ottawa speaks with current leaders of both organizations and a founder of the Foundation. www.cibcwg.com/blostein-beumer • 613 783-6883 ne of the founders of the Ottawa Jewish Community Foundation calls it a “miracle” Othat the Foundation got started back in 1971. But the Foundation has thrived, and 2015 marks the 40th anniversary of the Alan Blostein Stacey H. Beumer Contact: partnership between the Jewish Federation of Ottawa – known as the Jewish Community Council of Ottawa/ Vaad Ha’Ir until 2005 – and the Ottawa Vice-President, Investment Advisor Portfolio Manager Jewish Community Foundation. Ottawa Jewish Community Foundation The Foundation gives donors a vehicle Chair Lynne Oreck-Wener (left) and Jewish to contribute to the long-term fi nancial Federation of Ottawa Chair Steven Kimmel look forward to further collaboration as the stability of the Ottawa Jewish community and to support the needs of the agencies two organizations mark 40 years of working together. serving it. “The work of the Jewish Federation BARRY SILVERMAN, 613-798-4696, ext. 256 | of Ottawa and the Foundation are community. It’s a holistic way of looking synergistic,” said Andrea Freedman, at our community,” said Foundation president and CEO of the Federation and Chair Lynne Oreck-Wener. “Our missions the Foundation. “The Federation’s are different, but we work co-operatively. Annual Campaign takes care of needs We give a signifi cant amount to the today, while the Foundation contributes Federation from our allocated funds Susan Bloomfield presents the menorah she inherited from her great-uncle Gerard Richel to meeting today’s needs, and also every year. Working in partnership and to Rabbi Menachem Blum of the Ottawa Torah Centre Chabad (OTC). Richel received the secures our future. At the Foundation, shared staff makes so much more sense.” menorah as a gift from the Jewish family he hid in the attic of his home in The Netherlands [email protected] during the Second World War, thus saving them from the Nazis. The menorah will be lit we like to say that there you actually can “We’ve recently strengthened and ‘live forever’ by making a legacy gift.” expanded our relationship through during Chanukah for the first time since the war at OTC. (For more about this menorah, From the Pulpit “We are working together, and our legacy gifts,” said Federation Chair Steven see Rabbi Blum’s column on page 6.) partnership is of great benefi t to the See Partnership on page 4

Hillel Lodge resident survives Ottawa’s only Barbara Crook on Jerusalem inside: atomic bomb at Nagasaki > p. 3 female mashgiach > p. 11 synagogue attack > p. 25 CIBC Wood Gundy is a division of CIBC World Markets Inc., a subsidiary of CIBC 613-798-4696, ext. 242 | World Class Outsourcing ... and more! JEAN MYERS, 613-244-7225 613-744-6444 and a Member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund and Investment Industry

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purim in ottawa | Chag Sameach

Or Haneshamah and Adath Shalom: (From left) Toby Yan, Joel Yan and Rosalie Fox are among the costumed members of Or Haneshamah and Merivale Jewish Culture Club : NCSY Executive Director Gaby Scarowsky (back row, third from left) enjoys PHOTO: IRV OSTERER Adath Shalom Congregation at their joint Purim celebration, March 4, in a Purim celebration, March 4, with members of the Merivale High School Jewish Culture Club. NCSY organizes Jewish the Fellowship Hall of the First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa. culture clubs at a number of Ottawa’s public high schools.

Chabad of Centrepointe: Children enjoy the presence Queen Elsa of Arendelle at Chabad of Centrepointe’s annual Purim celebration at Funhaven, March 4. Disney’s Frozen was Torah Academy of Ottawa: Torah Academy of Ottawa students enjoy the Shushan Purim Carnival, the theme this year. March 6, organized by the girls of Grades 6-8.

Ottawa Torah Centre: Rabbi Menachem Blum displays his dreadlocks at Temple Israel seniors: Seniors gather at Temple Israel’s Purim luncheon for seniors, March 5. PHOTO: MERLE HALTRECHT the Ottawa Torah Centre’s Purim in the Caribbean party, March 4. March 30, 2015 19 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM

purim in ottawa | Chag Sameach

Jewish Federation of Ottawa staff : Erin Bolling (left) as an Irish Queen Esther, and Rena Garshowitz as The Big Lebowski’s Dude, were among SJCC Purim Carnival: (From left) Gail Lieff, Jon Braun, Anita Almstedt, Cantor Daniel Benlolo, Rabbi Ilan Scher, Malachi the best costume award winners at the Jewish Federation of Ottawa Handler and Cantor Jeremy Burko celebrate at the community-wide Purim Carnival, March 1, at the Soloway Jewish staff Purim party, March 5. Community Centre.

Ottawa Jewish Community School: (From left) Students Paige Kaufman, Sadie PHOTO: ELLEN O’CONNOR Sider-Echenberg, Lauren Shaffer and Gabi Geist collectively spell the word ‘Purim’ on their Temple Israel Purim spiel: The cast of Temple Israel’s Purim spiel – all members PHOTO: MERLE HALTRECHT shirts at the Ottawa Jewish Community School Purim Carnival, March 5, organized by Grade 7 of the Temple’s FROSTY youth group – at the Temple Israel Purim celebration, March 4. and 8 students.

PHOTO: MERLE HALTRECHT Creative Connections: Costumed seniors gather at the Creative Connections Purim party, March 3, at the Soloway Jewish Community Centre 20 March 30, 2015 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM

Passover Feature Tips for hosting a disabilities-friendly seder

BY ABBY SHER and please explain why? (JTA) – I knew when we got to the Many disabilities are undetectable to drawing of the sad-looking lamb that I the naked eye, but, whether it’s a child had exactly one page before show time. with attention defi cit disorder who fi nds As the youngest daughter and cousin it hard to sit still at the table, or an adult on both sides of my family, reading the in a wheelchair who cannot get to the Four Questions was always my job at the table, guests with disabilities often Passover seder. Since my severe obses- require some modifi cations in order to sive-compulsive disorder compelled me feel welcome and included at the seder. to recite everything exactly right, the job Fortunately, such modifi cations are was so nerve-racking to me that I often not diffi cult and can make the seder started panting days before. more enjoyable for everyone. After all, TRADITIONS JEWISH GIFTS For some children, the seder means who hasn’t at least occasionally experi- Passover toys, such as these Ten Plagues finger puppets, can help engage children in the delicious jellied candies and afi koman enced seder table boredom? seder. hunts. For others, it can mean terrifying Meredith Englander Polsky, public reading and unbearable amounts co-founder of Matan, a New York things out, singing, speaking and schools and congregational schools be of sitting still at the table. And for those non-profi t that advocates for Jewish listening.” inclusive of students with disabilities, with disabilities – whether psychological, students with disabilities, says the seder Here are some tips: has downloadable materials on its developmental or language-based – it’s is “the perfect opportunity for inclusion” website that spell out the order of events clear this night is different from all other because it involves multiple senses and 1. GIVE A SNEAK PREVIEW! in bright pictures, and a colourful new nights. But can somebody slow down learning styles: “taste, touch, acting Talk to children beforehand about Haggadah designed specifi cally for what exactly the seder will look like. children with disabilities. Another They can also help prepare the seder possibility: Passover toys, like matzo plate: a great opportunity to sniff the juggling balls or plague fi nger puppets, bitter herbs, taste the charoset or even which can be found in many online crumble the matzo. outlets and Judaica stores. Canadian Hadassah-WIZO (CHW) Gateways – http://jgateways.org/ – a On the educational website wishes all our members and friends Boston program that helps Jewish day a wonderful Passover holiday! See Seder on page 22

We are deeply grateful for your generosity and support of our mission, which makes a tremendous difference in the lives of children, patients and women at CHW projects in Israel.

Claudia Goldman National President Should you wish to convert memories to DVD

I’m just a phone call away! R0013089594 Board of Directors By transferring your old media on to a DVD, you can enjoy all Alina Ianson National Executive Director those great memories quickly and easily from the comfort of your own living room. Sophie Frenkel and Linda Senzilet CHW Ottawa Co-Presidents Canadian Hadassah-WIZO (CHW) is Canada’s leading Jewish women’s philantrophic organization. Founded in 1917, Jerry’s Hobby Reg’d CHW is non-political, volunteer driven and funds projects for Children, Healthcare and Women in Israel and Canada. Web: www.chw.ca/ottawa Email: [email protected] Tel: 613.699.0802 
r
[email protected] March 30, 2015 21 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM

The Sephardi Association of Ottawa is thrilled to present our community-wide

The Sephardi community and friends of the Sephardi community are all invited to take part in this traditional end of Passover celebration. We encourage traditional Sephardi dress for the occasion! Sunday, April 12, 1:00 to 5:00 pm Soloway Jewish Community Centre, 21 Nadolny Sachs Private Oriental and Israeli music featuring a DJ from Montreal Special Guest Cantor Daniel Benlolo Traditional Sephardi pastries • Moufleta, Baklava

Tickets: adults, $18; children under 15, $6 (available in advance at the SJCC)

Sponsorships Available Under supervision

Please note that a limited number of tickets will be available at the door. We encourage you to purchase your tickets in advance to ensure space at this special event. Please email [email protected] for information.

We wish everyone a Happ y Pass over

Weddings Bon Appetit Bris and Baby Naming Bar/Bat Mitzvahs Welcome to Ottawa’s Party and Event Catering Newest Kosher Caterer! Holiday Meals Catering for Synagogues For family celebrations, business presentations or a Shabbat meal at home, you will get much more Corporate Catering than flavourful food – with a Middle Eastern flair. Personal Home Catering Choose from a wide variety of appetizers, main courses Shiva Meals and desserts prepared by our Cordon Bleu-trained chef. Kiddishes JOSH & SAM FREEDMAN

Sam 613.697.2707 under supervision [email protected] 22 March 30, 2015 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM

Seder: ‘Whatever makes everyone Helping join in singing is the way to go’ local businesses thrive since Continued from page 20 ence. Ruskay-Kidd says, “We don’t want our kids to 1946 www.challahcrumbs.com, Devorah Katz suggests experience enslavement during the seder.” After the creating your own family Haggadah with your favorite intermission (and before things start getting messy with photographs. the Hillel sandwich, etc.) is a great time to get people Whatever you choose to bring to your seder, make seated at the table. sure everyone feels welcome to participate. 5. INVITE QUESTIONS Chag Sameach 2. SET THE MOOD The Passover seder is full of timeless questions, and Ilana Ruskay-Kidd, founder and head of the Shefa there is no one right answer. Encourage everyone to We rise to the occasion when School, a pluralistic Jewish day school for children with pose a question. language-based learning disabilities, suggests con- Polsky points to the maror as a jumping-off point. She your bread can’t! ducting the fi rst part of the seder in the living room. It’s asks everyone to name something “bitter” they would a much more relaxed environment than sitting at the like to fi x in the world and how they plan to do it. table, and guests can get up and walk around if they Rabbi Josh Feigelson, director of Ask Big Questions, a need to, or even have a few snacks. Matan’s Polsky says Hillel initiative to provoke positive change through it’s also good to set aside a “quiet space” to relax for conversation, encourages hosts to thank and engage the ggfl.ca An Independent Member Firm of DFK Canada Inc. and DFK International guests who become overwhelmed by crowds or noise. questioner. “Questions, when asked genuinely and coupled with real listening, are … seed-bearers of 3. LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION! conversation and mutual understanding, of empathy The maggid (recitation of the Haggadah) is the and community,” he says. Ze’ev Gal-On longest stretch of time for children to be at attention, so 6. GET LOUD! Your Tour Guide in Israel it’s imperative to make it exciting and interactive. Some suggestions from Polsky and Ruskay-Kidd: Whatever makes everyone join in singing is the way Since 2000, Ze’ev has been providing guided tours of Israel, specializing in families, Bar/Bat Pyramid building – You can set up stations in your to go. Polsky notes that “Who Knows One” can be Mitzvah tours, biblical and nature tours. A home or on the table. Use Legos, Lincoln Logs or any diffi cult for people with disabilities because there are so former kibbutznik, Ze’ev has a background in other building materials you fi nd. A delicious option: try many verses and it is frequently sung fast. history and geology. mini-marshmallows and toothpicks. Everyone gets to Download Matan’s visual version of “Who Knows build a pyramid that can later be gobbled up for dessert; One” – http://tinyurl.com/who-knows-one – so everyone When touring with Ze’ev, you will enjoy the comfort of his new luxurious 16-seater minibus fully equipped with a DVD system, Schlep – Ask children to act out being a slave by can follow along. Percussionists and yodelers are A/C, WiFi, a 40-L fridge and ample luggage space. carrying a heavy bag of books over his or her shoulder encouraged and shouting is a form of singing, too. and pretending that it is bricks; In fact, Jay Ruderman of the Ruderman Family Ze’ev can customize your tour, whether 1 or 2 days, a week Split the sea – Hold up blue sheets and have the Foundation says there’s an old story about a boy in or longer, an itinerary can be fl exible and open to your suggestions. children walk through; Eastern Europe who couldn’t read or write. Ze’ev’s services are at all times personal and dedicated, making your Act out the plagues – Have the children jump like frogs He came to the High Holidays services and kept on trip to Israel an unforgettable experience and allowing you to join or fall over like cattle. Download Matan’s visual Ten shouting in the synagogue while people were trying his growing list of satisfi ed clients. Plagues – http://tinyurl.com/matan-10-plagues – so to pray. Many of the congregants wanted to have him Contact Ze’ev: everyone can see them and debate whether they’d kicked out, but the rabbi stopped them and said, Phone: 972 8 850 1599 Cell: 972 52 649 1405 rather be a grasshopper or a locust. You can “paint” the “Just listen. He’s expressing his prayer in the purest Fax: 972 8 850 1597 E-mail: [email protected] doorways with a paintbrush and water so the Angel of way.” Website: zigel.co.il Death knows to pass over; I think of this boy and his direct connection to ZE’EV GAL-ON Cut to the chase – If guests are getting too hungry or faith. Follow me restless, it’s best to skip a few pages or cut to the songs. I think of my younger self, trembling in my seat, Tours in Israel The maggid can be two minutes or two hours, but the reciting “Mah nishtanah” under my breath. message will only resonate if people are engaged. As I think of the two million Jews in the United States Rabbi Dan Goldblatt told Jweekly in 2000, “I encourage and Canada estimated to have disabilities who will people to be freed from the tyranny of the Haggadah.” hopefully be participating in the seder this year and I promise that, while I won’t be the youngest at the table 4. INTERMISSION this year, I do intend to be the loudest – most likely Giving everyone a break is vital to the seder experi- off-key too.

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Breaking news updated daily at www.ottawajewishbulletin.com March 30, 2015 23 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM 24 March 30, 2015 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM

In support of the Bess and Moe Greenberg Family Hillel Lodge In the Joseph and Inez Zelikovitz Long Term Care Centre 613-728-3990

Card Donations Malcolm and Vera Glube Stephen and Debra Schneiderman * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Card donations go a long way to improving Endowment Fund Family Fund the quality of life for our residents. Thank you In Honour of: In Memory of: IN HONOUR OF: for considering their needs and contributing to Linda Mirsky Happy special birthday with Solly Patrontasch by Stephen and Debra Stanley Kimmel Happy birthday by Jack their well-being. love by Malcolm and Vera Glube Schneiderman and family and Chava Minuk On behalf of the residents and their families, Neal Cohen Happy birthday by Malcolm Bess Swedlove Happy special birthday by we extend sincere appreciation to the follow- and Vera Glube Harold and Lillian Shoihet Memorial Fund Stanley, Elaine and Larry Lithwick and families ing individuals and families who made card Nell Gluck Memorial Fund R’fuah Shlema: Harriet and Mark Pololak Thank you for donations to the Hillel Lodge Long-Term Care In Memory of: Mark Zunder by David and Jessica Shoihet your hospitality and friendship by Toby and Foundation between February 18 to March 4, Piney Pollock by Henry and Maureen Molot and Miriam Sabo Tedd Nathanson 2015 inclusive. and family; and by Manny and Cheryle Gluck Ralph and Anne Sternberg Memorial Fund IN MEMORY OF: HONOUR FUNDS Gunner Family Fund In Honour of: Ettye Millman by Debi and David Shore Unlike a bequest or gift of life insurance, In Memory of: Stewart Wolfe Happy 50th birthday with Ester Polinovsky by Gert Leyton, Cheryl which are realized some time in the future, a Piney Pollock by Sol and Estelle Gunner love by Laya and Ted Jacobsen Leyton and Mimi Leyton named Honour Fund (i.e., endowment fund) is Jenny Perchikovsky by Gert Leyton, established during your lifetime. David, Harvey, Victor Kardish Eric Weiner and Arlene Godfrey Cheryl Leyton and Mimi Leyton By making a contribution of $1,000 or more, Family Fund Family Fund Eva Smugler by Monica Rosenthal you can create a permanent remembrance for In Honour of: In Honour of: Stuart Weir by Monica Rosenthal a loved one, honour a family member, declare Bess Swedlove Happy birthday with love by Paul Weiner Happy birthday by Arlene Father of Anne Smith by Monica what the Lodge has meant to you and/or support Margo, David, Aaron and Gail Kardish Godfrey and Eric, Melissa and Laura Weiner Rosenthal a cause that you believe in. Barbara and Jeff Rosenberg With sincere Frances English by the Residents, Board A Hillel Lodge Honour Fund is a permanent Dorothy and Maurie Karp thanks with love by Carol Gradus and Staff of Hillel Lodge; by Jo-Anne and pool of capital that earns interest or income each Endowment Fund Carla and Bruce Weiner With sincere David Doherty; by Bev and Bryan Glube; by year. This income then supports the priorities In Observance of the Yahrzeit of: thanks with love by Carol Gradus Sylvia Monson; by Stanley, Elaine and Larry designated by you, the donor. Maurie Karp, beloved husband on Adar 15 Lithwick and families; by Sharon and Eli by Dorothy Karp and family Anna and Samuel Wex Family Fund Cohen and family; by Rhoda and Mike Aronson In Memory of: In Memory of: and family Ruth and Irving Aaron Family Fund Laika Rosenthal by Dorothy Karp and Frances English by Anna and Sam Wex Piney Pollock by the Residents, Board and In Memory of: family Staff of Hillel Lodge; by Malka Feig; by Barry Frances English by Ruth and Irving Aaron In Honour of: Carole and Norman Zagerman and Zahava Farber and family; by Barbara Dora and Sam Litwack Happy Passover by Family Fund Taylor; by Ellen and Marty Cardash; by Janice Bill and Leona Adler Memorial Fund: Dorothy Karp and family R’fuah Shlema: Greenberg; by Ingrid Levitz; and by Roberta In Honour of: Mark Zunder by Carole and Norman and Sam Goldmaker Joe and Joanne Shabsove Mazal tov on the Morris and Lillian Kimmel Family Fund Zagerman birth of your grandson by Elayne Adler, David, R’fuah Shlema: IN OBSERVANCE Jordan and Benjamin Issie Hoffman by the Kimmel, Kaiman and * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * OF THE YAHRZEIT OF: Levine families Moshe Feig by Barry and Zahava Farber Feeding Program Jenny and Murray Citron Sandy and Paul Felson’s grandson and family In Memory of: Endowment Fund Brandon Mason by Brenda and Nathan Levine Gordon Viner, loving dad and zaida by Marilyn Rosentzveig by Lysette and Louis In Memory of: and family Suzan Viner-Warkentin, Lindy and Kiera Kohn Frances English by Murray Citron In Honour of: Frances English by David and Sharon Morley Gorsky by Murray Citron The Levine, Kimmel and Kaiman families Appotive and family Piney Pollock by Murray Citron Thank you for your kindness by Issie Hoffman Piney Pollock by Sharon, David, Ryan, Sid and Barbara Cohen Joan and Russell Kronick Family Fund Yoni, Jaye and Brody Appotive; and by Joy, Seymour, Jess, David and Jared Mender Family Fund In Memory of: Solly Patrontasch by Sharon, David, Ryan, In Memory of: Marilyn Rosentzveig by Joan and Russell Yoni, Jaye and Brody Appotive Piney Pollock by Barbara and Sid Cohen Kronick Piney Pollock by Russell and Joan Kronick Evelyn and Irving Greenberg Fund Recreation Program In Memory of: Ida and Sidney Lithwick Fund In Honour of: Brenda and Gerald Rip Mazal tov on the Sylvia Saunders, sister of Anita Shore by R’fuah Shlema: birth of your granddaughter Tessa Anne with Evelyn Greenberg Carole Lithwick by Estelle and Sol Gunner love by Beth Roodman Pam and Eytan Rip Congratulations on the Hillel Lodge is always in need of volunteers. birth of your daughter Tessa Anne with love by Beth Roodman Watch for If you are interested in volunteering at the Lodge In Observance of the first Yahrzeit of: with our residents, please contact Marilyn Adler, Anne Sarah Koffman¸ beloved mother, exciting things Recreation Manager, at 613-728-3900, ext. 121. grandmother and great-grandmother by Bonnie and Sherwin Lyman and family to come!

THE LODGE EXPRESSES ITS SINCERE APPRECIATION FOR YOUR KIND SUPPORT AND APOLOGIZES FOR ANY ERRORS OR OMISSIONS. DUE TO SPACE LIMITATIONS, THE WORDING APPEARING IN THE BULLETIN IS NOT NECESSARILY THE WORDING WHICH APPEARED ON THE CARD.

GIVING IS RECEIVING – ATTRACTIVE CARDS AVAILABLE FOR ALL OCCASIONS Here’s a good opportunity to recognize an event or convey the appropriate sentiment to someone important to you and at the same time support the Lodge. Card orders may be given to Bev at 613-728-3990, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday. You may also e-mail your orders to [email protected] or online donations can be made through our website: www.hillel-ltc.com. All orders must include name, address, postal code, and any message to person receiving the card; and, amount of donation, name, address and postal code of the person making the donation. Cards may be paid for by Visa, Mastercard, Cheque or Cash. Contributions are tax deductible. March 30, 2015 25 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM

LTC Foundation: 613-728-3990 Life at the L odge HILLEL LODGE IS TURNING 60! Wednesday, May 28th, 2015, marks the 60th Annual General Meeting for the Ottawa Jewish Home for the Aged, currently known as The Bess & Moe Greenberg Family Hillel Lodge. Our diamond year will feature stories and events that celebrate both our history and how far we have come to get to this point. Sixty years is a long time and one cannot help but take a few moments to look back. The exact beginning of the Lodge is unknown. It started out in the mind of the The original Wurtemburg 29 bed home opened on late Mrs. Dora Lithwick in the early 1950s. It October 10th, 1965. Hillel Lodge today. was her vision and her passion that was the genesis for building a home that would house In 1972, the province approved Hillel Lodge and support the Ottawa Jewish community’s as an Extended Care Program, and more elderly in their declining years. This led to funding provided for additional medical and an apocryphal meeting over tea with the late physical assistance. Shortly thereafter, a third Judge J.C. “Jacie” Horwitz, Q.C. She had the floor as well as a synagogue, the Abraham and vision and he had the know-how to bring a Dora Lithwick Chapel, were built. grassroots movement from the Ottawa Jewish In the 1980s, Hillel Lodge faced challenges, community together to plan for a home for addressing the needs of a population that the Jewish elderly. This work led to the for- required significantly more care and atten- mation of a non-profit corporation with char- Front Entrance of the Joesph and Inez Zelikovitz tion, not just the setting of a retirement home. itable status as recognized by the province of Long- Term Care Centre housing the Bess and Moe “Operation Facelift” raised much-needed Ontario. Greenberg Family Hillel Lodge. operational funds and heightened commu- Those community leaders who established nity awareness. A group of committed vol- designed for 21 new beds, which opened in the Ottawa Jewish Home for the Aged, which unteers supported by a skilled and dedicat- December 2011, as a result of the dedicated came to be referred to as Hillel Lodge, had ed staff orchestrated a restructuring of the leadership of the Lodge who worked tireless- great foresight. They understood the needs entire organization, reshaping the Lodge’s ly to make it happen. None of this could have of our community, which hold true to today. professional image and financial practices. happened without major and most generous Hillel Lodge provides excellent comprehen- This multi-faceted project required fundrais- community support. sive, integrated programs and services for the ing as well as coordinating submissions to residents and meaningful support to family provincial governmental authorities to gain Hillel Lodge is a leader in excellence of members. approvals for expansion plans westward to long-term care program delivery. The man- Broadview Campus. agement and staff strive to not only maintain Community support included the creation the highest standards of care but also to of groups of volunteers as well as the Ladies’ With the support of the established com- continue to ensure they adopt the best prac- Auxiliary, which continues today as an inte- munity leadership, in September 2000, a rib- tices available in their field. The successful gral support to the Lodge. Architectural plans bon-cutting ceremony took place of the Joseph achievement of provincial accreditation stan- for a two-storey structure designed for future and Inez Zelikovitz Long-Term Care Centre dards is proof positive of quality of care. expansion were drawn by the late Mr. Sidney housing the new Bess and Moe Greenberg Lithwick. Even with provincial government Family Hillel Lodge. As the Wurtemburg We will continue to update the community approval, it took nearly 10 years for the location had been designed with room to on Lodge activities and milestones, via this 29-bed home to open in October 1965 on grow, so did the new facility, and the unfin- column and the website. Thank you to our Wurtemburg Street in downtown Ottawa. ished space left vacant on the first floor was supporters.

Hillel Lodge is proud of the quality care we provide to our residents. Donations to the Lodge can be made in several ways: by going to our web site at www.hillel-ltc.com; contacting the Long-Term Care Foundation at 613-728-3990; or e-mailing us at: [email protected]. 26 March 30, 2015 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM Analysis: Five notable takeaways from the Israeli election

BY URIEL HEILMAN ition than before. The prime minister (6) – Netanyahu gets to 57 seats. Kulanu, Yesh Atid and the composition of (JTA) – The magic number in the acquired several advantages in the the centre-right party led by ex-Likudnik Kulanu’s list, Kulanu is the clear favorite. Canadian federal election coming later election. First, he can extend his Moshe Kachlon and the winner of 10 The party boasts a number of veterans of this year will be 170, the number of seats premiership for another four years, seats, easily could complete the coalition. right wing parties, including Kachlon in the House of Commons needed to possibly to become Israel’s longest-serv- Netanyahu no longer needs Yesh Atid’s (ex-Likud), Michael Oren (served as form a majority government. In Israel, ing prime minister: David Ben-Gurion Yair Lapid, with whom friction ultimately Israel’s ambassador to Washington under it’s 61: the number of seats needed to served for a total of 13 years; Netanyahu prompted the prime minister to dis- Netanyahu) and Tali Floskob (mayor of form a majority coalition in the 120-seat has nine. solve his government and call for new Arad and a former Yisrael Beiteinu Knesset. Second, by soundly defeating Herzog elections. Yesh Atid slipped to 11 seats member). Two deputies to Jerusalem’s With Prime Minister Benjamin and signifi cantly improving Likud’s from 19. right wing mayor, Nir Barkat, also are on Netanyahu’s Likud party at 30 seats, far position in the Knesset from 18 to 30, 2. The left wing failed to gain the Kulanu list. ahead of Isaac Herzog’s Zionist Union (24 Netanyahu can claim a fresh mandate. ground. Herzog has emerged to become The enduring strength of the centrist seats), the question now is who will join Third, the prime minister can build a the face of the left, but the left wing isn’t parties – even though much of it came at Netanyahu in the coalition? There are a more stable coalition than last time. With really in a better position than before. Yesh Atid’s expense – also demonstrates few things to consider as the next Israeli just the Orthodox and right wing parties The left’s share of Knesset seats remains the seriousness with which Israeli voters government takes shape. – Jewish Home (8), Shas (7), Yisrael relatively unchanged from the current consider the socioeconomic issues that 1. Netanyahu is in a stronger pos- Beiteinu (6) and United Torah Judaism Knesset at 29 – but the party labels have Kulanu and Yesh Atid made the centre- changed. Now Zionist Union has 24 seats piece of their campaigns. Israeli elections and Meretz fi ve, whereas before the left are no longer just about security, particu- wing’s 29 seats were distributed among larly at a time when few Israelis see a Labor, Hatnuah, Kadima and Meretz. viable way to overcome the morass with If you throw the Joint Arab List (13) in the Palestinians and the threats posed by with the left-wingers (Netanyahu does), upheaval in the Arab world. that brings the left to 42 seats in the new 4. The Arabs are a force to be reck- Happy Knesset, up from 40. oned with. The forced combination of 3. The kingmakers will be the the Knesset’s Arab parties into the Joint centrists. The Knesset’s two centrist Arab List – prompted by a new rule Passover – parties together won 21 seats on Election raising the minimum threshold for entry Day – 11 for Yesh Atid and 10 for Kulanu. into the Knesset to 3.25 per cent of votes Barring the unlikely event of a unity cast – has strengthened their hand. Even a celebration government, one or both of them will be though Arab-Israeli turnout was lower a must-have to reach the magic number than Jewish-Israeli turnout, it was still of 61. higher than usual. Now the Arabs control of freedom Given Netanyahu’s problems with See Analysis on page 29

Paul Dewar MP, OTTAWA CENTRE 404-1066 Somerset St. West 613-946-8682 [email protected] pauldewar.ndp.ca PHOTO: LIOR MIZRAHI/GETTY IMAGES A poster of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu being hung at his election campaign headquarters in Tel Aviv on Election Day, March 17.

WishingWishing youyou allall aa HappyHappy PassoverPassover

Ottawa City Hall Community Office 613-699-8163 [email protected] www.BayWardLive.ca @Go_Taylor 110 Laurier Ave W. 1065 Ramsey Cres Ottawa, Ontario Ottawa, Ontario March 30, 2015 27 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM 28 March 30, 2015 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM March 30, 2015 29 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM

PHOTO: ILIA YEFIMOVICH/GETTY IMAGES Supporters of the Zionist Union party react to preliminary election results, March 17. Analysis: Benjamin Netanyahu rules out Palestinian state

Continued from page 26 Palestinian state?” Netanyahu responded, three additional Knesset seats and have a “Indeed.” more unifi ed voice. The second was Netanyahu’s brazen 5. Netanyahu showed his true colours. warning on Election Day that Likud The prime minister did two things in the supporters ought to rush to the polls fi nal hours of Israel’s election campaign because Arab-Israelis were turning out in that make it diffi cult to see how he will large numbers. repair Israel’s image overseas and its “Right wing rule is in danger. The Arab frayed relationship with the United States. voters are coming in huge numbers to the One was his open acknowledgment in polls. The left wing organizations are an interview published Monday that he bringing them in buses,” Netanyahu said opposes Palestinian statehood. in a message posted Tuesday on social “I think anyone who is going to media urging followers to vote for Likud. establish a Palestinian state and to “With your help, and with God’s help, we evacuate territory is giving radical Islam a will establish a patriotic government that staging ground against the State of Israel,” will safeguard the State of Israel.” Netanyahu told the Israeli website NRG. Both remarks provide ample fodder “This is the reality that has been created for critics of Netanyahu, and of Israel: that here in recent years. Anyone who ignores he (and by extension Israel) is disingenu- it has his head in the sand.” ous about pursuing a peace deal with the When asked point blank “If you are a Palestinians, and that he (and by exten- prime minister, there will be no sion Israel) is racist.

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Israelis express and senior offi cials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel were just a few of appreciation for the trip’s many highlights. Israel is not just about politics. We also made deep cultural international support connections during meetings with fi lm- makers, poets such as Rachel Korazim, BY SCOTT GOLDSTEIN and even hip-hop artist and activist HILLEL OTTAWA Shannan Street from HaDag Nachash. e sat quietly in the library As this trip was intended to present a hanging on his every word. variety of perspectives, we were given The walls reaching up to opportunities to meet people who were Wthe 40-foot ceiling were making a difference in areas of life that made of cement and glass, layered to we don’t always come across. create a unique modern design of In Umm El-Fahem, we visited the fi rst various shapes that fi t together yet Arab art gallery in Israel to learn how maintain their uniqueness: a symbolic Arab history and art is being preserved representation of how we all can fi t and for the fi rst time in Israel. work together while maintaining our North of Ramallah in the West Bank, individuality. Former Israeli president we visited Rawabi, the fi rst planned Shimon Peres was sitting in front of us in Palestinian city, to discuss with the Peres Peace House on the shore of developer Bashar al-Masri how changes the ancient city of Jaffa and had just told in Palestinian society can help pave the us, in his signature voice and matter-of- way for dialogue and peace. fact manner, that “the pursuit for There was even a visit to Shorashim, a perfection is perfection in itself.” unique Israeli-Palestinian dialogue I recently had the great privilege of initiative. joining a select number of fellow Hillel Indeed, there were too many amazing Hillel staff members from around the world gather near the Kotel in Jerusalem last month. Scott senior staff from campuses around the experiences for me to list them all. Our Goldstein of Hillel Ottawa is on the right in the back row. world on a special trip to Israel with group enjoyed numerous unique Hillel International. opportunities made available to us This unique experience gave us a view because of the very important work we campuses around the world. Creating should be to approach today’s genera- of Israel and Judaism from a variety of do on campus. Every person we met and supporting Jewish campus life and tion, which exhibits a growing disparity perspectives. Meeting Peres, Jewish emphasized the crucial responsibilities standing up for Israel in these diffi cult between high levels of opinion yet very Agency for Israel Chair Natan Sharansky, we have as Hillel professionals on times are recognized and appreciated by low levels of knowledge, by striving to everyone in Israel. “massage exclamation marks into One of the most important things we question marks.” By generating curios- gained from this special trip was the ity, providing a platform for questions renewed view of how we should be and putting ourselves at the level of each educating others about Judaism and student, we will be able to create an Israel. To paraphrase from the inspira- environment that breeds learning and tional discussion with Zohar Raviv, real dialogue on important issues. international vice-president of education I am happy to build on these ideas or for Taglit-Birthright Israel, we need to share more of my experiences with stop educating from our personal community members. Please feel free to perspectives and start seeing things from contact me at [email protected] or the other person’s “lens.” Our mission 613-236-2345, ext.1.

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FACEBOOK.COM/EONEFILMS THEWOMANINGOLD.CA March 30, 2015 31 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM The National Holocaust Monument Building a new national treasure for all Canadians.

Washington has one. Paris has one. London the survivors to the Canadian nation, and Daniel Libeskind, artist-photographer Edward has one. Even Sydney has one. The capital stand as an eternal symbol and reminder to Burtynsky, landscape architect Claude city of practically every major democracy future generations of Canada’s commitment Cormier and subject matter advisor Doris has one. to combat all manner of intolerance and Bergen presented this design. prejudice around the world. It’s time Ottawa had one, too. As part of a group of proud Canadians the Council is so Canada is the only World War pleased to report that of the II allied country that does not $4.5 million of private funding have a National Holocaust required, more than $4 million Monument in it’s capital. has been secured from donors Thankfully, this is a fact that is across Canada. about to change. “Our Monument is poised At the 2013 National Holocaust to become a new and iconic Remembrance Day Ceremony destination for residents and held on April 23rd in Ottawa, visitors to Ottawa,” said Chair Minister Tim Uppal, MP for Rabbi Daniel Friedman. “When Sherwood Park (part of the former Minister Baird first Edmonton Capital Region) discussed this amazing project, who originally presented he talked about the impact this the private member’s bill to monument would have on all build a Holocaust Monument Canadians and that it was his in Ottawa, made the official wish that our monument would announcement that Canada’s contribute to making Ottawa National Holocaust Monument a world-class capital city. We will be breaking ground in the know that this design will spring of 2015 on a prominent definitely meet that criterion.” site on the Lebreton Flats, in clear view of the Peace Tower. This Monument will be a lasting tribute to the victims of the The National Holocaust Holocaust and will serve as a Monument Development symbol of Canada’s diversity, it’s Council (NHMDC) made up of leadership in promoting values Chair, Rabbi Dan Friedman of of pluralism and tolerance and Edmonton, Fran Sonshine and its tradition of defending human Ralph Lean from Toronto, and rights, including the freedom of Alvin Segal and Elliot Lifson religion. from Montreal, is charged with raising $4.5 Once the vision was determined, the design million from across Canada. Our partners competition was initiated. Submissions came You are invited to become part of this from the Government of Canada will match from around the world from seventy-three national treasure. these funds to a maximum of another $4 architectural teams, of which six finalists million and have already donated the land for were chosen. A jury of experts consisting of For more information about the project, the this new national treasure. architects, artists, historians and survivors Council members and was assembled and the finalists were asked the design team, visit The NHMDC began their journey towards to present their designs and concepts. While the National Holocaust this national monument by assembling a all of the entries were outstanding, the jury Monument website at panel of experts and stakeholders from and the ministers chose Landscape of Loss, holocaustmonument. across Canada. The consensus was that the Memory and Survival as the concept that ca or contact Executive monument must achieve three aims: serve best embodied the vision. The team led by Director, Margi Oksner as a memorial for the victims of the Nazis, Gail Dexter-Lord, the co-president of Lord at 416-636-5225. acknowledge the incredible contribution of Cultural Resources and composed of architect

“Our Monument is poised to become a new and iconic destination for residents and visitors to Ottawa...” 32 March 30, 2015 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM

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ottawa jewish bulletin | Section 2 Holocaust survivor hopes to make the world a better place by telling his story Pinchas Gutter, whose words have been quoted by “They were all non-Jews, and it was a very important trip for me and for them. U.S. President Barack Obama, will communicate The following year, the College of Saint Elizabeth, a private Roman Catholic a message of “tolerance and diversity” as keynote college for women in New Jersey, asked speaker at Ottawa’s Yom HaShoah commemoration me to take their students, mostly non-Jewish.” on April 15. Louise Rachlis reports. He has now been on memorial marches at least 15 times, with 95 per enerally, the world doesn’t the war, during the war, and after the cent non-Jewish participants, including realize that it can happen war. to Germany and Poland with the March any time, any day, with any While he has been involved in of Remembrance and Hope run by the ‘Gpeople,” said Gutter, in an Holocaust education for quite a while, he Canadian Centre for Diversity. interview with the Ottawa Jewish said that “for many years, I didn’t speak In May, he’ll participate again in the Bulletin. “It just needs the right ingredi- of it. My wife is South African and didn’t March of Remembrance and Hope. ents. It’s like the cauldron of the witches know much about the war, and I didn’t Looking to leave South Africa, Gutter of Macbeth. A little bit of this, a little bit want to burden my kids. Ten years after came to Toronto to visit one of his wife’s PHOTO: DAVID KAWAI/OTTAWA CITIZEN of that, and out comes hatred. All these the war, I never gave a thought to the relatives. “Every breath I took was like a Holocaust survivor Pinchas Gutter things are happening all the time Holocaust. I was going on 14 when the breath of freedom. I knew this was where tells his story, April 15, at Ottawa’s Yom because there is no respect for other war fi nished and was taken to an I wanted to live. It was the fi rst country HaShoah commemoration at the SJCC. people. That is basically my message.” orphanage in England. My brain decided after Poland that is a part of me. I regard Born in 1932 to a Chassidic family in that I didn’t have to suffer. I was work- this as my home.” Lodz, Poland, Pinchas Gutter is a ing, belonging to clubs, going out to the Wanting to be independent, Gutter left “For me, the importance of his speech survivor of the Warsaw Ghetto and six cinema and educating myself. In 1955, it the orphanage and started working in was that the president of the United Nazi concentration camps. He lost his suddenly kicked in with nightmares, and England at age 14: on a farm, as a motor States created an awareness of how parents in Majdanek when he was 10. I started suffering. Holocaust survivors’ mechanic and in a textile factory. He also important testimony is for the world,” After the war, he lived in South Africa for children suffer like their parents.” volunteered in the Israeli Army and later Gutter said. many years before immigrating to He became involved with the worked until retirement in the fi nancial Julien Klener will also speak at the Canada in 1985. Holocaust Museum in Capetown. sector. Yom HaShoah event on whether today’s “I always try to bring home that hate is In 1992, historian Paula Draper asked “It’s a question of circumstances. I Europe, 70 years after the Holocaust, is a the worst thing that you propagate,” said Gutter to give testimony about his came from a proud 400-year-old family safe place for Jews. Gutter, now of Toronto, who speaks eight experiences in the Holocaust. of winemakers. I was always independ- Born in Ostend, Belgium in 1939, languages. “That was the fi rst time I gave a full ent,” he said. Klener spent the war as a “hidden child” “You must regard every person as a four-hour testimony on video of what Known for his melodious voice, Gutter in Brussels. Today, he is president of the human being ... I am a religious person, I happened. That’s when I gave my kids has been the honorary cantor of the Belgian Israelite Consistory, the offi cial come from a very long line of Chassidim, each a tape.” Kiever Synagogue in Toronto’s Kensington Jewish organization representing the and I feel it’s very important. Hatred He was persuaded to return to Poland Market area for the past 27 years. Jewish community to the Belgian stems from people thinking their God is for the fi rst time to make a video called “Hopefully, by telling my story over government. better than another’s God or their religion The Void, and took his whole family with and over again, I will achieve the pur- The Yom HaShoah commemoration is better than other people’s religion, or him. pose of making the world a better place will take place Wednesday, April 15, 7 their colour is different or their creed it Asked to participate as a survivor in to live in,” he said. pm, at the Soloway Jewish Community different. A human being is a human the March of the Living, Gutter said he Last year, at a Los Angeles dinner Centre. being and should be respected as such.” would only go if Christians came along honouring Stephen Spielberg, Gutter’s For more information, contact Benita Gutter said he will start his talk in too. In 2005, he accompanied an words were quoted by U.S. President Siemiatycki at 613-798-4696, ext. 227 or Ottawa by telling his story from before American group of Catholic educators. Barack Obama. [email protected]. Chag Sameach! Good Wishes to You and Your Family on Passover

David Smith, Kosher Caterer & Party Designer 2664 Alta Vista Drive 613-788-2713 www.creativekosher.com 34 March 30, 2015 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM

Passover Feature Marking the passage from slavery to freedom

BY DASEE BERKOWITZ simple, and, sometimes, we might fi nd erusalem (JTA) – Transitions are ourselves unable to ask. The questions never easy. that start with “why did I do this?” may You decide to leave one place that lead to broader ones like “I wonder what Jis known to you for some unfamiliar awaits me on the other side?” Keep territory. You don’t feel quite like yourself asking. (and probably won’t for a while). You try to act like everything is fi ne even though OFFER PRAISE AND THANKS you know that your whole life has just In the middle of the Haggadah, soon been upended. It will take time until after Dayenu and right before we wash things begin to fall into place – when you our hands to eat the matzo, there is a start to integrate the “old” you into your shortened Hallel (songs of praise). It is new identity, when you can trust that smack in the middle of the Haggadah. your life will make sense as you take this “Praise, O servants of the Lord, Praise the step into the unknown. Lord’s name. May the Lord’s name be And, while we all might experience blessed now and forevermore.” We move one or two of these major transitions in away from the heady conversations our lifetime (marriage, divorce, becom- PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK about why we eat the pascal lamb, matzo ing a parent or moving cities), the The most ubiquitous symbol of Passover, matzo, is in itself a conundrum. and maror, and the meta-values that the transition for the ancient Israelites, from Haggadah conveys with the line “In slavery in Egypt to freedom, was one of What are the ways that our experience of When we go through a transition in every generation one is obligated to see epic proportions. Passover can shed light onto how we our lives, we recognize that we don’t oneself as if one had gone out of Egypt.” After suffering under the oppressive experience transitions in our own lives? negate the past to embrace a new future. Instead we sing, dance and offer grati- yoke of bondage, the promise of redemp- Our past experiences ground and guide tude that we have made it this far. tion was palpable. With God’s guiding EMBRACE COMPLEXITY, EAT MATZO us as we take steps toward a new identity. This short Hallel stuck in the middle of hand and Moses in place to lead the way, The most ubiquitous symbol of the Haggadah reminds us how important the Israelites had their matzo in hand Passover, matzo, is in itself a conundrum. ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS it is to recognize milestones along the and were ready to go. Their transition to a It is the bread of affl iction, which The Rabbis put questions and ques- journey. When our tendency is to see new life – from being slaves of Pharaoh in reminds us of the hard bread the tionings at the centre of the Haggadah’s how much farther we need to go, the Egypt to servants of God – was set in Israelites ate in servitude in Egypt. But it telling. The nature of asking questions on Haggadah reminds us to recognize how motion. While the steps along the way is also the food that the Israelites baked Passover is in itself an act of freedom. The far we have come, and to give thanks. may have been unsure and fi lled with on the eve of their departure. It’s the most powerless – the children – tradition- Every day, our lives are fi lled with trepidation (there’s nothing like the same substance (just fl our and water), ally ask the Four Questions. Then four transitions in small and big ways, from sound of Pharaoh’s army behind you and but the meaning of the bread changes children ask questions based on their home to work and then back home again. a sea that isn’t splitting before you to based on how we relate to it. When we own characters: the questions that Crises (big and small) happen at these make you wonder if you made the right were passive recipients of the bread, it everyone is thinking, but nobody dare threshold points (kids have breakdowns, decision), the Red Sea did split, and faith represented our affl iction and reminded articulate. adults feel anxiety). These feelings are that everything would be OK won out. us of our identity as slaves, but, when Only free people can ask, wonder and real because they refl ect that we are While the biblical narrative that created with our own hands, it represents challenge. Being able to ask good heading into unknown territory. In our recounts the Exodus from Egypt has the moment of our freedom. questions connects us to the bigger daily lives, we ritualize these moments – power in the linear nature of its telling, It might have been simpler to have two picture and opens doors to life’s the goodbye kiss, the welcome home the way that the Rabbis ritualized that different kinds of bread – a fl at bread to possibilities. hug. And, for our bigger transitions – transition in the Passover Haggadah is represent slavery and a fl uffi er one to Transitions are overwhelming. And, changing careers, moving houses, leaving anything but linear. They transformed represent freedom. But, instead, on seder when you are going through one, some- a marriage or deciding to have a child the raw material of the Exodus story into night, we are obligated to eat matzo and times all you want are the right answers – the rituals become larger and more an associative, sometimes disjointed imbibe the two identities at the same (I’m not sure how many Israelites asked complex. pedagogical tool. And in this disjointed time. We hold the complexity – even as questions when they were leaving Egypt As we approach each of these transi- medium of the Haggadah is the message. we celebrate freedom, we remember our on that 14th of Nissan). tions, let us move from the narrow Transitions are not a straightforward harsh past. More than that, our past But the Haggadah teaches us to ask places, our personal Egypts, to a place of endeavour. They are a process that can be serves as a moral compass and guides us questions, even when it might feel openness and expansiveness of the meandering, confusing and rife with not to oppress the stranger because we frightening to do so. Our questions might desert. This Passover season beckons double meanings and complexities. remembered what oppression felt like. range from the wise and rebellious to the you. March 30, 2015 35 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM

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Ask us about our $110 per day rate for short-term accommodation! 36 March 30, 2015 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM Events set to mark Yom Ha’Atzmaut and Yom Hazikaron

BY PAMELA ROSENBERG SOLOWAY JCC he annual Yom Ha’Atzmaut cele- bration, Ottawa’s biggest Jewish community-wide celebration has Ta new home this year at the Solo- way Jewish Community Centre (SJCC). The Yom Ha’Atzmaut festivities, celebrating the 67th year of Israel’s independence, take place Thursday, April 23, beginning at 5:00 pm, and will be spread throughout the entire building, taking advantage of all the space the SJCC has to offer. “What better way to show off our wonderful Jewish Community Campus than hosting a major community celebra- tion. It is something I’ve wanted to do for Yom Hazikaron keynote speaker some time,” said SJCC President and COO Jason Moscovitz. Barry Sohn. “Our chair, Penny Torontow Yosi Levy and the Sabras Band will perform at the Yom Ha’Atzmaut celebration, April 23, at the and her committee will once again Soloway JCC. Moscovitz, who will speak about his celebrate Israel, but, this year, we get to family’s connection to Lieutenant Hadar celebrate our community by being on for purchase both upstairs and on the to get up and dance and those looking to Goldin, 23, an Israel Defense Forces campus.” lower level of the SJCC, while community sit and enjoy the show. soldier who died in combat in Gaza this The venue will allow space for the kids organizations will have displays set up Based in Los Angeles, the Sabras Band past summer. who want to run around and play to do so throughout the building. is known for its diverse repertoire “We mourn those who lost their lives, in one part of the SJCC without interfer- “The SJCC is the main sponsor of the encompassing klezmer, Sephardic and and then celebrate the Yom Ha’Atzmaut, ing with those who want to socialize, event and we want the community to Israeli music, as well as rock, Latin, Greek which was made possible as a direct celebrate and enjoy their dinner in a understand the connection the SJCC has and Middle Eastern styles. result of their sacrifi ce,” said Ella Dagan, quieter environment. to this special day,” said event Chair Earlier in the day, the community is Vered Israel Program manager and event The celebration will consist of a variety Penny Torontow. “With the great facili- invited to join Jewish community leaders co-ordinator for these events. “The of children’s activities taking place on the ties, we can appeal to families and have and dignitaries at Ottawa City Hall’s duality of these two holidays takes on a lower level. The gym will have a circus more children’s entertainment. Marion Dewar Square, 110 Laurier special meaning this year in Ottawa. As atmosphere with fun shows and crafts for Upstairs in the social hall, Yosi Levy Avenue, at 11:00 am, as Israel’s fl ag will be we consider sacrifi ce and celebration, our the kids. Delicious Israeli fare provided by and the Sabras Band will perform with raised in honour of Yom Ha’Atzmaut. minds and hearts are also with the Creative Kosher Catering will be available plenty of room for both those who want There will be a chartered bus available to tragedy on Parliament Hill. We remember take people from the SJCC to City Hall the fallen soldiers and the victims of and back. terror in both Israel and Canada, and we On Tuesday, April 21, 7:00 pm, the will celebrate the pride and patriotism of community will gather at the SJCC to both nations.” commemorate Yom Hazikaron, Israel’s For more information on these pro- national Memorial Day for fallen soldiers grams, or to reserve a seat on the bus and victims of terror. from the SJCC to the fl ag-raising cere- Temple Israel The keynote address will be given by mony, contact Ella Dagan at 613-798-9818, An egalitarian Reform congregation Ottawa Jewish Bulletin columnist Jason ext. 243, or [email protected]. Jewish roots, contemporary values, egalitarian Friday Kabbalat Shabbat Services, 6:15 pm. Best Wishes Saturday Shabbat Services, 10:15 am.

Sunday, April 19: Books and Bagels, for a Happy Paul Wiens will review The Invisible City by Julia Dahl. A young journalist is drawn into her estranged mother’s world where she is assigned to cover the murder of an Hasidic Jewish & Healthy Pesach woman in New York City. Bagels, 9:30 am; review 10:00 am. Books are available through the Ottawa Public Library and the Greenberg Families Library at the SJCC. The Malca Pass Library Chag Sameach! and the Temple Israel Library also carry some titles. From the Kimmel, Kaiman and Levine Families Norman Klein, Interim Rabbi Steven H. Garten, Rabbi Emeritus Heather Cohen, Executive Director Sheli Braun, Principal, Religious School

1301 Prince of Wales Drive, Ottawa, ON K2C 1N2 Tel: 613-224-1802 Fax: 613-224-0707 195 Colonnade Road South, Ottawa www.templeisraelottawa.com 613-226-3830 March 30, 2015 37 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM OJCS students help lead special Shabbat services

BY ELLEN O’CONNOR knowledge in a practical environment, OTTAWA JEWISH COMMUNITY SCHOOL hopefully strengthening their Jewish ttawa Jewish Community identity and feeling a sense of belonging School (OJCS) students are to a shul.” extending their Judaic educa- Currently, fi ve congregations – Otion beyond the classroom and Machzikei Hadas, Agudath Israel, Beth into the city’s synagogues through an Shalom, Ottawa Torah Centre Chabad initiative that puts them front and centre and Beit Tikvah – are taking part in the at Shabbat services. program. The fi rst OJCS Shabbaton took Initiated by the joint efforts of parent place January 31 at Beit Tikvah. ambassadors and congregational rabbis, “It’s a good way for the community to the program invites students from see our kids. It’s a matter of opportunity kindergarten to Grade 12 to showcase for knowledge, for school recruitment, their Judaic knowledge at designated and an opportunity for exploration on OJCS Shabbatons. the part of the community to see who we “This partnership is wonderful are,” said Rabbi Howard Finkelstein, dean because our students can feel proud and of Judaic Studies and spiritual adviser at Ottawa Jewish Community School students participate in a morning Shacharit service at the confi dent knowing they are able to take OJCS, and spiritual leader at Congrega- school. part in a shul service. In return, the tion Beit Tikvah. “We are a pluralistic community-at-large gets to see how community school, meaning we cater to competent and enthusiastic the students all kinds of denominations within occurring in France. Aaron said that a very strong bond between the congre- of OJCS are,” said Sharon Reichstein, one Judaism.” getting involved with the OJCS Shabbat gations and the Ottawa Jewish of the parent ambassadors who took the Twelve students of all ages participated services “shows other people that we are Community School,” said Rabbi lead on the initiative. in the service at Beit Tikvah, taking on committed to promoting our school and Finkelstein. “It’s a win-win situation,” she added. different roles, which included delivering shows that we actually do care.” “This is something that cannot be “The shuls, which struggle with engage- prayers to Canada and Israel, singing, and Rabbi Finkelstein urges interested underestimated how important it is. ment and attendance, get to have a nice receiving aliyah to read from the Torah students and parent ambassadors to get Rabbis have to take the lead in promoting young turnout for Shabbat, which will alongside Rabbi David Rotenberg. in contact with their respective congrega- Jewish day school education.” hopefully translate into families choosing Sarah Aaron, 13, delivered the D’var tion to fi nd out when their OJCS The next OJCS Shabbaton will take to attend more regularly. The students at Torah and chose to connect her reading Shabbaton is taking place. place at Agudath Israel Congregation on the school get to use their skills and to the anti-Semitism and violence “It’s extremely important that there be April 18. 38 March 30, 2015 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM Community’s prayers, mitzvot have worked ‘miracles’ in preserving Rabbi Simes’ life, grateful wife says

told his parents as soon as he got off the To continue good work, plane that he wanted to go to the Kotel Shaindel Simes to launch immediately so he could pray for Rabbi Simes. women’s study program Every bit of that effort has been needed, Shaindel said. This past year BY ZEV SINGER was a very rough one that saw Rabbi FOR WOMEN’S CENTRE Simes in the hospital from July until FOR ADVANCED TORAH STUDIES November. n the mind of Shaindel Simes, it “He had three major infections this isn’t a maybe. She is certain the past summer. The hospital said hardy, community saved her husband’s vibrant people might not make it out of Ilife. the ICU from any of these infections on It’s been almost fi ve years since a its own. My husband had all three at serious highway collision left Rabbi once. They said they’d never seen Yehuda Simes a quadriplegic. From anything like it before. They said he’s not those fi rst months in hospital, through a statistic; there are no statistics for his rehabilitation and then countless him.” stays in the hospital to fi ght off infec- The merit of all the prayers and tions, the Jewish community of Ottawa mitzvahs made the difference, Shaindel has stepped forward. said.

The community has prayed for him “One hundred per cent, without a PHOTO: ISSIE SCAROWSKY and recited tehillim (psalms) for him. doubt, the doctor said he’s a miracle.” Shaindel Simes says her husband, Rabbi Yehuda Simes, has encouraged Many individuals have also taken on Now, Shaindel has a plan to increase her new women’s Torah study initiative. mitzvahs, like the lighting of Shabbat that merit for her husband while also candles. meeting a need she sees in the commun- “Women are asking for more opportun- Expressing an opinion on that subject, “I don’t even know everything that ity. After Passover, she will launch ities for growth and inspiration.” or any other, isn’t easy for Rabbi Simes has been going on,” Shaindel said, Ottawa’s new Women’s Centre for The classes, which will be held at the currently. Since the summer, he has been adding that she keeps discovering new Advanced Torah Studies. Simes home at 5 Roselawn Ct., will be on a respirator and hasn’t been able to efforts regularly – like the Ottawa boy “I feel that there’s a need for more text based, with a focus on applying speak aloud. While he works his way who went to Israel with his family and classes for women, by women,” she says. textual knowledge to daily life. The fi rst back up to speech, he communicates semester, running fi ve consecutive through an alphabet board and is Tuesday nights, beginning April 14, from learning to use an eye-movement 7:40 to 8:40 pm, will be a study of Parsha tracking device. Devarim (from Deuteronomy). Previous “Communication is very time-con- knowledge is not required, just a desire suming,” Shaindel said. “It has to be to learn. All are welcome. worth it.” Shaindel says that her biggest sup- Endorsing this learning project was porter in the project – and the one who worth that effort. won’t let her chicken out – is her “We’ve seen the power of prayers and husband. the power of mitzvahs, and how thera- “He’s the one who’s encouraging me peutic and healing they can be,” said to do it,” she said. Shaindel. Our reputation for quality service began 65 years ago with our passion for travel to Israel. COUNCILLOR PROUDLY SERVING Today we are one of Canada’s foremost experts. WARD 9 Specializing in: KNOXDALE-MERIVALE

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Zlotnick by Elly & Al Bruner Rhoda & Marvin Shabinsky Stella Andruski by Sheila & Morton Baslaw Irena Hellinger by Eleonaora Altman; Reisa & Mr. & Mrs. Jeff Fishbain (daughter) by Bill Appel by David Goodman & Marilyn Allan Glenns CONDOLENCES TO: Marcia & Barry Cantor Goodman-Galbraith Archie Hendry by Louis & Muriel Kardish Glenna Alevizos in memory of Bertha by Sandra Fishbain (granddaughter) by Rena & Edith Arrick by Carla Nemo & Gilles Lasnier Marsha Hines by Barbara & Keith Freedman Pinchas & Barbara Pleet Max Cohen Rita Arsenault by Michael & Sophia Gertsman Muriel T. Jendrosz by Rick & Sylvia Kleiman Ursula Anderson in memory of your son by Yona Gazit (grandson) by Marcia & Barry Erika Baker by Michael & Sophia Gertsman Susan Kassen by Eva & Lara Esrock Sophia Gertsman Cantor Freda Baker by Riva & David Seidman Sarah Kastner by Sheila & Morton Baslaw Gerry Arial in memory of Jim’s mother by Lynn Gillman & Bobby Kaminsky (grand- Braham Baum by Jack & Rae Freedman Leon Katz by Margo & Alan Blostein; Anna- Judith & Harvey Slipacoff niece) by Merle & Richard Moses Lori Anne Beckerman by Marian Silver & Lee Chiprout; Linda & Hillel Finestone; Sid & Lindsay & Matthew Bush in memory of Lucy Leor & Inna Grebler (daughter) by Yossi & Alan Brass Cally Kardash; Diane Koven; Patti Lascelles; Peni, by Linda & Alan Gilbert Julia Bokhaut Jacob Benaich by Gordon Family; Ottawa Carole & Maya Schwartz-Gagnon; Judith & Harvey Mark & Maureen Farovitch in memory of your Heather Gillman (grandson) by Bonnie & Sephardic Association Slipacoff; Alan Starcher; Penny Torontow & Glenn mother Libby by Frima & Frank Olshanko Sherwin Lyman Alex Birkett by Michael Gertsman Wolff; Sabina Wasserlauf & John Kershman; Joel Karen Ginsberg in memory of your beloved Murray & Marcia Kaiserman (grandson) by Jamil Birshan by Gracy & Jim Hillel & Toby Yan sister by Cynthia & David Blumenthal Dale & Ruth Fyman Bernard Blumenthal by Florence, Haley & Maurice Kolovson by Rena & Max Cohen Rosie Goldstein in memory of your sister Rachel Daniel Kanter (son) by Renee, Brian & Mitchell Miranda Rosenthal Gen Konecny by Nina Jason & Brian Byerely by Margo & Alan Blostein Greenberg Fred Borovoy by Elaine & Marten Brodsky Pauline Krane by Rhoda & Marvin Shabinsky Orna Hilberger in memory of Edna by Merle Julie Kanter (grandson) by Renee, Brian & Maurice Borts by Marion Silver & Alan Brass Deborah Lapierre by Sophia Gertsman & Ricky Moses Mitchell Greenberg George Bromberg by Karen & Ian Zunder Bernard Lederman by Margo & Alan Blostein; Cathy Walker & Pat Holmes in memory of Esther & David Kwavnick (granddaughter) Esther Burnham by Don Whitton & Gail Lynda & Alex Wakter your sister Valerie by Michael & Sophia Gertsman by Toby, Cally, Sylvia & Sheila Herbert Joseph Callman by Jorge Garfinkiel Louis Lemkow by Michael & Sophia Gertsman Crystal Lamoureux in memory of your father Mrs. Pama Lewin & Mr. Julian Lewin (great Lee Aryai Cantor by Faye & Arnold Tennen- Yaacov Lerman by Sheela & Si Morin Michael by Stephanie (Nana) Moore grandson/grandson) by Peggy Kleinplatz & Frank house Mrs. A Lustman by Dale & Ruth Fyman Richard Landis in memory of your sister Anita Brickle Care Cohen by Linda Rossman Rita Manuel by Barry, Allan & David Baker by Teitelbaum Family Rabbi Dovid & Mrs. Rochel Lewin (son) by Mary Colodny by Reisa & Allan Glenns Maurice Abraham Miller by Margo & Frank Jim & Tova Lynch in memory of Gerry’s moth- Peggy Kleinplatz & Frank Brickle Helen Comartin by Joel & Toby Yan Rosen er by Judith & Harvey Slipacoff Adam & Juline Taller (daughter) by Sally Burt Cook by Margo & Alan Blostein; Anna- Sylvia Miller by Annette Albert Maria Mumevale Martinez in memory of your Taller Lee Chiprout; Reisa & Allan Glenns; Peggy Obbie Mitchell by Margo & Alan Blostein mother Emma by Raina & Chaim Feig Joel and Gaye Taller (granddaughter) by Kleinplatz; Merle & Richard Moses; Judith & Mrs. Leona Catherine Moeser by Mory Grace, Deanna & Donna Poitras in memory of Sally Taller Harvey Slipacoff Macleod & Jonathan Stokes Claude by Nina Jason Daniel & Lori Watter (grandson) by Peggy Irving Cooper by Shirley & Chaim Birnboim Sidney Morin by Sheela & Si Morin Mr. & Mrs. J. Steck in memory of your sister by Kleinplatz Giuseppe (Joe) Corsi by Marcia Cantor Abe Murray by Liz & Jeff Kofsky; Karen & Michael & Sophia Gertsman Howard Currie by Esty Bybelezer Ian Zunder Penny Torontow in memory of your brother-in- HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO: Rob Dain by Karen & Ian Zunder Joseph Nadel by Anna & Larry Chodos law by Renee Greenberg Norman Amato by Grace & Jim Hillel Mary Delaklis Carafotes by Marilyn Jean Naemark by Margo & Alan Blostein Eva Zacios-Macfarlane in memory of your Michael Aronson (special) by Ed & Janice Goodman-Galbraith Howie Osterer by David & Marla Baker; Sheila father by Michael & Sophia Gertsman Fine Dolores Doran by Rick & Sylvia Kleiman & Morton Baslaw; Lou & Deborah Davis; Renee Ellen Zweibel in memory of your beloved moth- Morton Baslaw (90) by Clay Family; Debra & Andy Douma by Bernie & Carol Benovitch Greenberg; Merle Haltrecht-Matte; Liz & Jeff er by Margo & Alan Blostein Lloyd Rossman Elizabeth Louise (Betty) Duff by Morton & Kofsky; Tracy Pulvermacher & Gianni Donatucci; Liba Bender (special) by Sid Featherman; Ruth Sheila Baslaw Linda Rossman; Marion Silver & Alan Brass; Penny REFUAH SHLEIMAH/GOOD HEALTH TO: Shane Gertrude Dunkelman by Lynda & Alex Wakter Torontow & Glenn Wolff; Lynda & Alex Wakter; David Allice by Marla & David Baker; Liz & Lorraine Berk by Margo & David Kardish Fania Ehrlich by Frieda & Phil Chodos; Linda Karen & Ian Zunder Jeff Kofsky Rhoda Blevis by Margo & Frank Rosen Merali & Family Abraham (Boomie) Ovics by Sidney Featherman Michael Aranoff by Brian & Rochelle Pearl; David Blumenthal by Judith & Harvey Slipacoff Eleanor Elman by Linda & Alan Gilbert Joel Palmer by Marla & David Baker; Margo & Harold & Rosalie Schwartz Jessica Cantor (special) by Margo & Alan Frances (Fay) English by Morton & Sheila Alan Blostein Mike Bafia by Sandy Marchello Blostein Baslaw; Marcia & Barry Cantor; Brian & Rochelle Dorothy Parslow by Ian Garonce Ricki Baker by Margo & Alan Blostein; Marcia Freda Edelson (90) by Debbie Baylin Pearl Allen Pearl by Chaim & Raina Feig; Harold & & Barry Cantor; Liz & Jeff Kofsky; Jackie & Lucian Martin Eglow by Sol & Zelaine Shinder Maurry Epstein by Brandi Cowl Rosalie Schwartz; Margo & Judah Silverman Sitwell Steven Farber by Alyce & Allan Baker Lillian (Lily) Evenchick by Michael & Sophia Irene Pector by Bev & Abe Feinstein Allan Cracower by Marcia & Barry Cantor Golda Feig-Steinman by Donna Cullen Gertsman; Morton & Sheila Baslaw Mali & Moshe Perez by Ruth, Leon & Floralove Rhonda Friedman by Liz & Jeff Kofsky Diana Feller (90) by Sheela & Si Morin Jeanette Ezerzer by Rosalie & Harold Schwartz Katz Leah Gencher by Mera & Bill Goldstein Samantha Freedman by Liz Kofsky Shelly Fine by Reisa & Allan Glenns; Oliver Ruth Pink by Marcia & Stephen Aronson Bev Gluzman by Ken Kavanat Allison Geffen by Lisa Feldberg Javanpour & Diane Crouse Yetta Rauchwerger by Elizabeth & Steven Dr. John Gordon by Laraine & Victor Kaminsky Temma Gentles by Margo & Frank Rosen Max (Mickey) Finkelstein by Miriam & Mario Rubin Ilsa Kanen by Renee, Brian & Mitchell Greenberg Heather Gilman by Annette Albert Burke; Grace & Jim Hillel Ethel Resnick Liner by Rena & Max Cohen Sam Litwack by Mera & Bill Goldstein Natalie Gitnick (special) by Eric, Joy & Martha Frances Foster by Chloe Fox Douglas Robertson by Leba Bender Sherwin Lyman by Rena & Max Cohen Weisbloom Zvi Friedman by Magda & Peter Benedek Molly Robillard by Stan & Orly Aaron Ron Paritzky by Merle & Richard Moses Sheryl Glassman (special) by Marsha & Art Bela Gelbman by Jerry Molnar & Bernadette Marilyn Rosentzveig by Ian & Estelle Melzer Reesa Shinder by Liz & Jeff Kofsky Saper Hendrickx Shafica Saleh by Lily Tobin & family Sonny Zabitsky by Reisa & Allan Glenns Ruth Glicksman (85) by Elaine Singer Lorant Geller by Ghersin family Sylvia Saunders by Shirley Marcus Bruce Goodman (special) by Robert Kaminsky Robert (Bobby) Gencher by Margo & Alan Stella Schultz by Marilyn Arditti & Bruce Smith BIRTHS: & Lynn Gillman Blostein; Cynthia & David Blumenthal; Ethel & Marla Schwartz by Murray & Bryna Cohen Harry & Irit Beck (grandson) by Dale & Ruth Margo Kardish by Bea Dubinsky David Malek; Michael & Debbie Silverman Israel (Issy) Shinder by Norman & Myrna Fyman John Kershman (special) by Margo & Alan Willie Gibbs by Rick & Sylvia Kleiman Barwin; Diane Koven Allan & Jill Bellack (twin grandchildren) by Blostein Sylvia Gluck by Grace & Jim Hillel; Bryna & Mary Magaret Sirrs by Lorna Bernbaum Morton & Sheila Baslaw Neena Khan (special) by Rhoda & Marvin Ilan Rumstein Florence Small by Margo & David Kardish Myrna & Isaac Blaichman (grandson) by Shabinsky Stanley Solomon by Don Whitton & Gail Bryna & Ilan Rumstein Sydney Kronick (90) by Max & Rena Cohen; Trees $18 each. Dale Steeves by Rick & Sylvia Kleiman Marcia & Barry Cantor (grandson) by Reisa Beverley & Abe Feinstein; Bryna Rumstein Jack Stein by Steven & Elizabeth Rubin & Allan Glenns Susie Lazar (special) by Merle & Richard Tree Bank $150 for 10 trees – Col. Nick Stevens by Elliot Marshall Joan & Russell Kronick (granddaughter) by Moses and no expiry. 100% Tax Receiptable. John Aaron Sussman by Margo & Alan Blostein Barry & Ricki Baker Monica Martens (special) by Frayda Raber Issie Tanzer by Joy & Eric Weisbloom Allan Cracower & Naomi Lipsky-Cracower Donald McKinnon (85) by Sheela & Si Morin Thank you for your generosity. Gerry Thaw by Alan & Margo Blostein (grandson) by Bev & Abe Feinstein Peter Nicholson (special) by Leba Bender JNF apologizes for errors and omissions. Joseph (Joe) Viner by Alyce & Allan Baker; Neima Langner & Richard Davies (son) by Alan & Margo Blostein; Marcia & Barry Cantor; Diane Koven Continued on page 40 40 March 30, 2015 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM

Passover Kid Lit Choo-choos, baa-baas and back to Sinai

BY PENNY SCHWARTZ a hurry to make his last run before the (JTA) – When Deborah Bodin Cohen immersed herself in rabbinical start of the seder. The sense of urgency school in the early 1990s, she expected to spend a year in Israel as part to keep track of time for the train schedule is a perfect pairing for the story of her studies with Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. of Passover, when the Israelites fl ed What she didn’t know was that, a decade later, the experience of living Egypt. in Jerusalem would spark her inspiration for a children’s book, which His ride to Jerusalem has neighbours has become a popular award-winning series. offering him foods for his seder plate, including a bowl of charoset made with Engineer Ari and the Passover Rush, Rabbi Bodin Cohen’s fourth book almonds and dates, a traditional Sephardi in her Engineer Ari series, is among a trio of new children’s books for the custom. eight-day holiday marking the Jewish exodus from Egypt. Ari promises that, on his return route, Rabbi Bodin Cohen, the author of other award-winning Jewish chil- he’ll deliver newly baked matzo in exchange. As he arrives back in Jaffa in dren’s books, including The Seventh Day and Nachshon Who was Afraid Engineer Ari and the Passover Rush the nick of time, he and his neighbours to Swim, credits the idea for the Ari character to her daughter Ariana, By Deborah Bodin Cohen, swap the Jerusalem matzo for the seder who, as a preschooler, was a train enthusiast. Her daughter’s train play illustrated by Shahar Kober plate foods. stirred memories of living near Jerusalem’s historic train station. Kar-Ben Young kids will enjoy the fun adven- Ages 5-9 “I literally passed it every day,” she told JTA. ture, which also introduces the elements of preparing the Passover seder. The director of congregational learning at Congregation Har Shalom Engineer Ari is a friendly train The cartoon-like illustrations by the in Potomac, Md., realized she could create a story of a train adventure engineer, an imagined character based Israeli artist Shahar Kober will delight based in historic Israel that would entertain her daughter and her on Jerusalem’s early railway system young readers, with animated characters that transported people and goods friends. dressed in colourful native garb, and between Jaffa and Jerusalem dating back bustling scenes of city life and rolling Each of the Engineer Ari stories has some historical element, she to the late-19th century in pre-state hillsides and farms. points out, with extensive research and consultation with a curator of Palestine. Like the previous books in the For some young readers, the biggest the Israel Railway Museum in Haifa. series – for Rosh Hashanah, Sukkot and thrill will likely be the red locomotive, Chanukah – this charming tale is set on with its whistle cord that regularly “The idea of an illustrated book exposes kids to some of the beauty of the eve of the holiday. announces “Toot, toot!” Israel, the wildlife and the agriculture,” she said. In the Passover Rush, Engineer Ari is in See Kid Lit on page 41

TREES HAVE BEEN PLANTED

All Occasions • Holiday Wishes • Year Round Shirley Marcus (Nancy’s award) by Morton & Sheila Baslaw 613-798-2411 • [email protected] • www.JNFOttawa.ca Dorothy Nadolny (Negev Dinner Honouree) by Pauline Hochberg; Roz Taller Kenneth Radnoff (chanting hafTorah) by Continued from page 39 Dahvi Hochman (Bat Mitzvah) by Wendy Lisa Fischer & Sid Woznika marriage by Sheila & Morton Baslaw Laurie Pascoe by Maureen & Clary Ottman Kramer Randi & Ian Sherman Sunny Tavel (retirement & award) by Alyce & Sylvia Pasher by Ed & Janice Fine Yacob Dovid Jacobson (Bar Mitzvah) by Susan Allan Baker; Margo & Alan Blostein Jerry (80) by Brian & Rochelle Pearl; Margo & Otis & Neil Aranoff ANNIVERSARIES Frank Rosen Coral Kendall (Bat Mitzvah) by Wendy Kevin & Jessica Cantor (25) by Margo & Alan IN APPRECIATION & WITH THANKS Ronda Pinsky by Marilyn Binder Kramer Blostein; Lynda & Alex Wakter Paul & Suzanne Bregman by Steven & Maxine Pressman by Mary Pressman Cathy Krieger (Bar Mitzvah) by Barry & Ricki Elaine & Hershey Charlat (60) by Art & Elizabeth Rubin Elizabeth Rubin by David & Judith Kalin Baker Marsha Saper Sheila Caplan by Janice Fine Steven Rubin by David & Judith Kalin Elaine & Stan Laiken (Bar Mitzvah) by Barry Sid & Rose-Anne Goldstein by David & Judith Jack & Sandy Freiberg by Alex & Lynda Ketty Samel (special) by Helel & Sol Rauch; & Ricki Baker Kalin Wakter Valerie & Gaby Terkel Benjamin Novick (Bar Mtizvah by Marcia & Beverly and Gerhard Harr (50) by Sheela & Rabbi Steven Garten by Nancy Rosenberg & David Schwartz (special) by Harold & Rosalie Stephen Aronson Si Morin family Schwartz Natalie & Raymond Stern (Bar Mitzvah) by Sandra & Jacie Levinson by Murray & Mary Sid & Rose-Anne Goldstein by Steven & Harold Schwartz by Krochmalnek family; Barry & Ricki Baker Macy Elizabeth Rubin Maureen & Clary Ottman; Brian & Rochelle Pearl Mrs. & Mrs. Levitt by Marsha & Art Saper Zach, Hannah & Sam Goldstein by Wendy Diana Seller (90) by Eileen & David Swimmer ENGAGEMENTS & WEDDINGS Helen & Sol Silverman (69) by Marilyn Kramer Howard Shaffer by Myra & Sam Krane; Sonia Danny & Muriel Benlolo (son’s engagement) Binder Barbara Crook & Dan Greenberg by Bram & Sheldon Shaffer by Merle & Richard Moses Mr. & Mrs. Norman Soloman (50) by Bernie Bregman Murray Shenkman (90) by Susan Otis Marcia & Barry Cantor (son’s engagement) & Carol Benovitch Rejean Houle by Mitch Miller Zelaine Shinder by Barry & Ricki Baker by Margo & Alan Blostein; Sheryl & Harvey Stehen & Gail Victor (50) by Sandy Marchello David & Judy Kalin by Steven & Elizabeth David Slipacoff by Margo & David Kardish Kardish; Lynda & Alex Wakter Rubin Mildred Sonshine by Gloria Krugel Rhoda & Jeff Miller (kids’ engagement) by MAZEL TOV TO: Linda & Jeff Laks by Rosalie Schwartz Frank Ursachi (95) by Susan Greenberg Zahava Poriah Murray Ages (retirement) by Alyce & Allan Susan Leger by Maureen Ottman Melanie Weiss by Sol & Zelaine Shinder Julie & Shalom Katz (kids’ engagement) by Baker Laura, Per & Aaron Nilsen by Nancy Fryer Helen Zipes by Joy & Eric Weisbloom Valerie & Gaby Terkel Jack Borenstein (Amazing report card!) by Ron Prehogan by Bram Bregman Harriet & Mark Podolak (daughter’s engage- Marc & Jessica Borenstein Sol & Helen Rauch by Steven & Elizabeth MAZEL TOV TO B’NEI MITZVOT: ment) by Rena & Max Cohen Barbara Crook (Order of Ottawa) by Norm & Rubin Jacob Bengio (Bar Mitzvah) by Ruben & Josh Berger & Ilana Goodman marriage by Myrna Barwin Fred & Stacey Seller by Josh Kofsky Louisa Garib Debra & Gary Viner Freedman Family by Diane Koven Daniel Smith by Isabel & Norman Lesh Ronnie Frenkel (Bat Mitzvah) by Linda & Susannah Dalfen & Jonathan Molina Roz & Arnold Kimmel (Lisa’s achievements) Stephen & Gail Victor by Sandra Marchello; Allan Sand marriage by Barry & Ricki Baker by Alyce & Allan Baker Carol Segal Sid & Rose-Anne Goldstein (granddaughter’s Mira Lyon & Ely Rosenblum marriage by Barnett Koven by Diane Koven Eric & Claire-Jehanne Wilner by Steven & Bat Mitzvah) by Judith & David Kalin Debra & Gary Viner Syd Kronick by Marsha & Art Saper Elizabeth Rubin March 30, 2015 41 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM Kid Lit: We become part of the story of Passover

Continued from page 40 As the seder progresses from the Four indignity endured by Israelite slaves his deft humour and fl air for storytelling Questions to hiding the afi koman and come alive for the siblings, who manage in the illustrated chapter book that will dipping the parsley, each page brings to make a podcast of their experience. appeal to school-age kids. another unexpected visitor. Older readers familiar with Kimmel’s It’s a terrifi c pairing with Kimmel’s Laura Gehl’s delightful rhymes will hugely popular illustrated books – earlier Wonders and Miracles, a lavishly tickle young ones. Even non-readers will Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins, illustrated seder companion that join the repeating refrain, “And then Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock and explains and demystifi es the customs another sheep turned up.” The Chanukah Guest – will again enjoy and traditions. Kids will be entertained with page after page of Amy Adele’s colourful, lively illustrations of adorable sheep having fun at Passover.

Scarlett and Sam: Escape from Egypt By Eric A. Kimmel, illustrated by Ivica Stevanovic Kar-Ben Ages 6-9 The Sephardi Association of Ottawa When twins Scarlett and Sam bicker about who is going to recite the Four Wishes you Hag Pesah Kasher v’ Sameah Questions at the seder, their magical Happy Passover to all! And Then Another Sheep Turned Up Grandma Mina cuts the squabbling short: By Laura Gehl, “Tonight, at the seder, we don’t just tell Please join us for Passover Services illustrated by Amy Adele the story of Passover. We become part of Kar-Ben it.” at Shikun Oz, located at 57 Bateman Ages 3-8 So the stage is set for Kimmel’s time-travel Passover adventure that Friday, April 3, 6:00 pm As a friendly family of sheep prepares transports the duo to the Egyptian desert, Saturday, April 4, 9:00 am for Passover, one guest after another back to the time of Moses and Aaron as arrives, from grandma with the maca- they prepare to lead the Israelites out of Sunday, April 5, 9:00 am roons and wine to uncles and friends who slavery in Egypt. The 10 plagues, Please RSVP at [email protected] arrive unexpectedly. Pharaoh’s palace and the suffering and

Advertorial Tamir Foundation and Ottawa Jewish Community Foundation announce new partnership Tamir Endowment Fund has raised $100,000 in fi rst weeks; $500,000 targeted

Tamir and the Ottawa Jewish gone. This holds especially true for par- of mind knowing Michael is well cared for. Community Foundation (OJCF) are ents of our most vulnerable. The Tamir Lynne Oreck-Wener, Chair of the Board pleased to announce the establishment of Endowment Fund will help ensure our for OJCF commented “Tamir is a pre- the Tamir Endowment Fund. organization’s promise is kept to these cious asset that has served our community Thanks to the vision and generosity of families into the future.” proudly for almost 30 years. Contributing some wonderful donors, this new partner- Initial contributions exceed $100,000 to the new Tamir Endowment Fund is a ship will help ensure that Tamir, the sole and Tamir and the OJCF are looking to great way to honour the past and encour- Jewish organization in Ottawa dedicated grow the fund to half a million dollars in age the future of our own families and this to ensuring quality of life for people with the first year. Any major gifts directed by important organization.” developmental disabilities, will thrive for donors during the first year to the fund The Ottawa Jewish Community Found- generations to come. or donors who confirm a gift in their will ation provides donors the vehicle to con- Norman and Isabel Lesh, Sharon or other form of bequest will be consid- tribute to the long-term financial stability and Paul Finn and the family of the late ered “Founding Members” of the Tamir and support of the needs of more than two Norman and Evelyn Potechin (Alechem From left: Joel Kanigsberg, President, Tamir Endowment Fund. The interest, distrib- dozen agencies that serve the Ottawa Jewish Ha shalom), provided the initial dona- Foundation; Lynne Oreck-Wener, Chair uted on an annual basis, will help meet the Community. For several decades, it has tions to launch the fund. Lily and Jerry of the Board, Ottawa Jewish Community ongoing personal care and support needs provided Ottawans with a way to support Foundation; Norman and Isabel Lesh, found- Penso, founders of Tamir, have commit- of individuals within Tamir. their most cherished projects and achieve ing donors of the fund. ted a life insurance plan towards the new The Lesh family understands first-hand their philanthropic aspirations. Contribu- fund as well. high level of care and attention to ensure the value of securing Tamir’s financial tions to the fund can also be made through Tamir supports more than 100 people they are safe and healthy and have oppor- future. Their grandson, Jordan, has been OJCF Tribute cards, found at OJCF.ca with developmental disabilities from teens tunities to lead meaningful lives in the a resident within one of Tamir’s group If you would like more information to mid-70s through a variety of programs, community each day. homes for the past seven years. about the new Tamir Endowment Fund, including supportive housing, respite care, Dr. Joel Kanigsberg, President of Lily and Jerry Penso’s son, Michael, please contact Neil Leslie, Director of supported employment and recreation, Tamir, expressed his appreciation. “Every was one of the first three residents of Fundraising and Communications, and Judaic outreach. Support is often parent wants assurance that their chil- Tamir, when the organization was created at [email protected] or 613-725-3519, extensive, as many individuals require a dren will be looked after when they are in 1985. They too continue to have peace ext. 104. 42 March 30, 2015 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM

Passover Feature Tiferet Hamatzot: A unique shmurah בנותיה ותגלנה בנות יהודה matzo factory in eastern Ukraine לזכות רפו״ש יהודה פנחס בן אסנה Women’s Centre for Advanced Torah Studies Shaindel Simes, Director BY CNAAN LIPHSHIZ nepropetrovsk, Ukraine (JTA) – With one eye 613.224.8791 5 Roselawn Court [email protected] Ottawa on a digital countdown timer, Binyamin Vestrikov jumps up and down while slamming Da heavy rolling pin into a piece of dough. Aware of his comical appearance to the journalist watching, he exaggerates his movements to draw laughs from a dozen colleagues at the kneading station of Tiferet Hamatzot – a factory believed to be Europe’s only permanently open bakery for handmade shmurah matzo. Your Journey, Your Way But Vestrikov’s urgency is not just for entertainment. Rather, it is designed to meet the production standards Happy that have allowed this unique bakery in eastern Ukraine Passover to provide the Jewish world with a specialty product at affordable prices. The factory here also offers job security from to about 50 Jews living in a war-ravaged region with a Jennifer weakened economy and high unemployment. Loome-Gencher Each time Vestrikov and his co-workers receive a new Tennyson Street Travel chunk of dough, the timers over their work stations give them only minutes to turn it into a two-pound package of is a full-service PHOTO: CNAAN LIPHSHIZ travel agency fully baked matzo – a constraint meant to satisfy even the Kashrut supervisor Rabbi Shmuel Liberman at the specializing in strictest religious requirements for the unleavened bread Tiferet Hamatzot factory in Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine, Dec. 8, 2014. Israel, See Shmurah on page 43 Cruises & Disney 613-225-0463 Whole Child Development www.tennysonstreettravel.ca [email protected]

Chag Sameach! From sports and yoga to concert band Wishing you and Lego club, OJCS off ers a variety of extracurricular activities to promote a Happy and develop the overall well-being of our students.

and Healthy Our OJCS Rams stay fi t and practise good sportsmanship on teams that range Pesach. from basketball and soccer to curling and golf. Students who want to learn an instrument can join the band or the Hebrew song club.

OJCS believes that making good choices is about a healthy body and a healthy mind. Playing chess, learning Spanish or joining student council keeps our students’ minds active, encourages critical thinking and leads to well-rounded development. March 30, 2015 43 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM Shmurah: From fl our and water to matzo in 18 minutes

Continued from page 42 matzo,” is more expensive than regular Jews consume on Passover to commemor- matzo because it requires manual labour by ate their ancestors’ hurried fl ight out of people whose task is to guard that it does Egypt. not become leavened bread – a concept “The faster the process, the more derived from a verse in the book of Exodus certain we are that no extra water came that states “You shall guard the matzot.” into contact with the dough and that it did Some consider it a mitzvah to consume not have any chance of leavening,” says shmurah matzo because it upholds that Rabbi Shmuel Liberman, one of two commandment of devoting special mashgiachs (kashrut supervisors) who attention or effort to guarding the matzo. ensure the factory’s monthly production For this reason, traditional Jewish law of approximately eight tons complies with requires that the handling of matzo and kosher standards for shmurah matzo. its ingredients be done by Jews only. But The time limitation means the entire the factory also employs more than a production line has only 18 minutes to dozen non-Jews who perform other tasks, transform fl our and water into fully baked including distribution. and packaged matzo. To Rabbi Meir Stambler, the owner of PHOTO: CNAAN LIPHSHIZ Still, the workers are not complaining. Shmurah matzo on the production line of the Tiferet Hamatzot factory in Dnepropetrovsk, Tiferet Hamatzot, this means the bakery They are happy to have a steady, dollar-ad- Ukraine, Dec. 8, 2014. “not only puts shmurah matzo on Jewish justed income in a country whose cur- tables, but also helps build bridges and do rency is now worth a third of its February bicep, he adds, “Besides, this way I don’t factory can still afford to charge customers mitzvot with non-Jews.” 2014 value – the result of a civil war need to go to the gym.” signifi cantly less than its competitors in Rabbi Stambler, an Israeli Chabad rabbi between government troops and pro-Rus- Despite working under pressure in a the West, said Stella Umanskaya, a who lives in Dnepropetrovsk and opened sian separatists, which has paralyzed hectic and overheated environment – the member of the Dnepropetrovsk Jewish the factory 12 years ago, said his father Ukraine’s industrial heart and fl ooded the ovens at Tiferet Hamatzot remain heated community and the factory’s administra- used to bake shmurah matzo in secrecy in job market with hundreds of thousands of for days, preventing the building from tional manager. Tashkent, when the Uzbek capital was still refugees from the battle zones. ever cooling off even at the height of the A two-pound box of Tiferet Hamatzot part of the Soviet Union and subject to its “It’s hard work, sure, but I am very harsh Ukrainian winter – the factory’s costs approximately $10 locally and $15 anti-religious policies. happy to be doing it,” Vestrikov says. “I workers form a tight community whose abroad compared to more than double that “Back then, matzo used to be smuggled don’t need to worry about how to feed my social currency is made up of jokes and price for shmurah matzo produced in from Israel into the Soviet Union before its family. There is very little hiring going on, lively banter, mostly on cigarette breaks. bakeries in Western Europe, such as the collapse in 1990,” he said. “It’s just and every job has dozens of takers because Workers like Vestrikov say they receive Neymann matzo bakery in France, or those unbelievable that now, some years later, all the refugees from the east are here.” good wages, but production costs and operating in Israel and the United States. we bake matzo in Ukraine and send it all Rolling up a sleeve over a throbbing taxes in Ukraine are so low that the Shmurah matzo, Hebrew for “guarded over the whole world.” 44 March 30, 2015 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM National Sephardic delegation visits Parliament Hill

BY CANTOR DANIEL BENLOLO n February 26, I was privileged to be one of 50 members of the fi rst national Sephardic Odelegation to visit Parliament Hill in an event organized by B’nai Brith Canada (BBC) and the Sephardic Legacy Institute. According to Yehuda Azoulay, founder and chair of the Sephardic Legacy Institute, there are more than 55,000 Sephardic Jews across Canada, and it is worth noting that the oldest Jewish institution in Canada is a Sephardic congregation, the Corporation of Spanish and Portuguese Jews, established in Montreal in 1768. It traces its history back to the fi rst settlers who began to arrive in 1760. Today, it is home to a multicultural community refl ecting Montreal life and Canadian pluralism. After welcoming words from BBC CEO National Sephardic delegation meets on Parliament Hill with Defence and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney and MP Mark Adler, Michael Mostyn, BBC President Henry February 26. Schnurbach, Azoulay and Sephardi Association of Ottawa President Clemy the Sephardic community and our Matas testifi ed on threats posed by the informative day by meeting with Minister Srour, we toured Parliament Hill and had contribution to Canadian society. Iranian regime, and Question Period in of State for Multiculturalism Tim Uppal lunch with Defence and Multiculturalism We then attended a Foreign Affairs the House of Commons as guests of and with discussions on Spanish-Jewish Minister Jason Kenney, who addressed Subcommittee hearing on international Prime Minister Stephen Harper. relations with representatives of the the delegates about the importance of human rights, where BBC expert David We concluded the exhilarating and Embassy of Spain. BE MINDFUL...... Of the need to explore your Jewish spirituality with people whose practices refl ect the values by which you live. Be mindful of Or Haneshamah, Ottawa’s Reconstructionist synagogue, the capital’s most progressive and dynamic Jewish congregation for the past 27 years and counting. With OrH, you will experience: X Communal Aliyot — equal-opportunity access to the Torah X Evolving Judaism — respect for tradition combined with the courage to ask questions X Participation — members on the bimah throughout services X Informality — a group that welcomes you to come as you are, to be yourself X Diversity — members cover the spectrum of Jewish backgrounds X Perspective — rabbi as facilitator, leader and teacher, rather than performer X Equality — around gender, sexual orientation/expression X Affordability — very reasonable membership fees

Rabbi Elizabeth Bolton and the members of Or Haneshamah invite you to join them for meaningful Jewish experiences as they celebrate Passover, as well as festivals and Shabbats throughout 5775. This year’s Passover seder will be on April 4 and is a great chance to learn more about Or Haneshamah. All are welcome! For complete seder details and other OrH information, please email [email protected], call 613-239-4988, or visit orh.ca

Breaking news updated daily at www.ottawajewishbulletin.com March 30, 2015 45 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM

COURTESY OF STREIT’S MATZOS Baked matzo coming out of the oven at the Streit’s factory on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, date unknown.

Passover Feature At Streit’s 90-year-old Lower East Side factory, ‘the men’ turn out their last matzo batch

BY GABE FRIEDMAN erty was estimated to be worth $25 New York (JTA) – Seated in his Lower million in 2008, when the company fi rst East Side offi ce, in front of a large portrait considered shutting the factory. of company patriarch Aron Streit, Alan “We should’ve been out of here fi ve or Adler avoids becoming too nostalgic. 10 years ago,” says Adler, 63, who over- “It’s like I tell my family members: sees the company’s day-to-day operations none of you own a car from 1935, why do along with two cousins. “But we feel you think a matzo factory from 1935 is committed to the men [who work here] what we should be using today?” says and we feel committed to the neighbour- Adler, one of Streit’s Matzos’11 co-owners. hood, so we tried to keep this place afl oat This is the line of thought behind the as long as we could. We probably could’ve imminent closing of the Streit’s matzo stayed here even longer if I could’ve factory, a longtime Jewish fi xture in a city found somebody to work on the ovens.” neighbourhood that once was home to The ovens, identifi ed only by one of the highest concentration of Jews “Springfi eld, Mass” on their side, date in North America. back to the 1930s. They are 75 feet long Streit’s, the last family-owned matzo and are continuously fed a thin sheet of company in North America, announced dough that emerges from the convection in December that it would be perma- heat in perfect crisp form. Streit’s does nently closing its 90-year-old factory after not disclose its offi cial production this Passover season because of long- numbers, but Adler says the factory standing mechanical problems and churns out millions of pounds of matzo subsequent economic concerns. each year. Sometime in April, the company will However, Adler also estimates that the shift its matzo production either to its ovens are now about 25 per cent slower other factory across the river in northern than they used to be and he cannot fi nd a New Jersey, where several other products mechanic willing to fi x them. The slower such as macaroons and wafers are made, pace decreases matzo output and affects or to another non-Manhattan location. the product’s fl avour. The greatly gentrifi ed Lower East Side But the ovens aren’t the only outdated has seen its real estate values skyrocket in element of the factory. Except for a few recent decades. Although Streit’s has not electrical parts added to the machinery yet identifi ed a buyer for its landmark over the years, nearly all of the other building on Rivington Street, the prop- See Streit’s on page 46 46 March 30, 2015 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM

DID YOU KNOW? When Hillel Lodge opened its doors in 1965, no applicant was to be denied residency because of an inability to pay. Applicants were to be admitted on the basis of need. Th e cost to maintain a person in the Home was $10.00 a day. Th e Lodge was under the direction of Percy Bernstein, M.S.W., a graduate social worker. Dr. David Malek was Chief of Medical Services. Th e Home was to be staff ed by nurses, nurse’s aides and domestics. Mrs. Mildred Shiller was in charge of the kitchen. Mrs. Herbert Beiles was President of the Ladies Auxiliary and Mrs. Harry A. Roodman was the Chairman of Volunteer Services.

Promoting quality of life for persons

PHOTO: GABE FRIEDMAN with developmental disabilities At the Streit’s factory on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, matzah is broken in a Jewish environmnent into pieces and sent to be packaged in the same way it has been for over half a century.

Tamir acknowledges with sincere thanks the following donations, which were received as of March 3, 2015. Streit’s: Last family-owned Mazel tov to Pearl Rudin by Barry and Barbara Jerry Penso on his special birthday Mandelker by Kenneth Kavanat; by Marty and Ellen Marty Greenspon by Howard and Maria matzo factory in North America Cardash; by Debbie, Norm and Vicky Ferkin; Yegendorf by Barb and Barry Greenberg; by Rhonda, Paul Orlan by Howard and Maria Continued from page 45 (Today it is owned by Bain Capital, Mitt David, Evan and Lindsay; by Ingrid Levitz; Yegendorf equipment is more than 70 years old. As Romney’s former investment fi rm.) by Sylvia and Morton Pleet; by Malcolm and Simmie Rosenberg by Aunty Irene, Lee, a result, employees’ tasks have barely The Streit’s factory also used to boast a Vera Glube; by Cally and Sid Kardash; by Sandy, Gerry, Rian, Holden, Franceen, Sam, changed in over half a century – from vibrant storefront with lines that spilled Debbie Baylin and the Gang; by Gail, Guy, Austin, Chad, Ruth, Lesley and Anna; by Ruth, mixing the fl our in small batches (in outside and around the corner. Today Kenny and Shawn Elbaz; by Allan, Maria and Hedy, Michael and family under 18 minutes to satisfy kosher there is still a retail counter, but often it is Sophia Taylor Mother of Sol Rauch by Linda and requirements) to separating the matzo left unmanned. Marian and Bruce Fischer on the engage- Stephen Weiner ment of your daughter Nikki by Sharon and Father of Marcia Cantor by Sharon and sheets into pieces that then travel up to “Families have moved on, the Lower Paul Finn and family Paul Finn and family higher fl oors on a conveyor belt. East Side has changed, so now we’ve sort Peter and Debbie Szirtes on the birth of “Nothing changes at Streit’s,” says of transitioned from a local bakery where your grandson Judah by Sharon and Paul Finn Refuah Shelema Rabbi Mayer Kirshner, who oversees the people would stop by and pick up their Allan and Naomi Cracower on the birth Shirley Strean-Hartman by Barb and factory’s kosher certifi cation. matzo hot out of the oven in 1925 to now of your grandson Judah by Sharon and Paul Barry Greenberg However, plenty has changed in the where 99.9 per cent of our sales are Finn matzo business since Adler’s childhood wholesale to distributors who resell,” General in the 1950s and ‘60s, when he liked to Adler says. In Memory of Andrea Stadhart You will be missed spend time picking fresh matzo out of the While his cousins helped at the retail Joe Viner by Sheila Howard and wish you all the best in your new job by ovens. Back in the “heyday,” as Adler counter, Adler, who joined the company Howie Osterer by Marion Vexler Debbie, Norm and Vicky Ferkin calls it, of the 1930s through the 1960s, 18 years ago after a law career, says he was Donation cards can be purchased for a minimum donation of $18.00 by contacting there were four matzo factories in the always more comfortable working behind the Tamir office at 613-725-3519, 11 Nadolny Sachs Private, Suite 218, Ottawa, Ontario, New York metropolitan area: Horowitz- the scenes. In the factory’s freight K2A 1R9, or by e-mail to [email protected] Margareten and Goodman’s in Queens, elevator he has clearly ridden in Manischewitz in New Jersey and Streit’s innumerable times, he cracks a rare joke. in Manhattan. Horowitz-Margareten and “You couldn’t build an elevator like Goodman’s were sold to Manischewitz, this today,” he says. “It’s passed every Breaking news at www.ottawajewishbulletin.com which was bought by the private equity safety law from 1925 and not one since.” fi rm Kohlberg and Company in 1990. See Streit’s on page 47 March 30, 2015 47 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM

POTATO KUGEL Short ribs are ALYCE BAKER Serves 30 HOLIDAY COOKER a great alternative 1 cup oil AND BAKER 4 shallots sliced thinly 5 pounds potatoes, peeled and grated to brisket 1 large onion, grated 1/3 cup potato starch ’m sure that if I were to take a poll, I’d fi nd that 1 tablespoon salt eight of 10 homes will be serving the ubiquitous BEEF SHORT RIBS 1/2 teaspoon pepper 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon “brisket meal” at their seder. Serves 10 Listen, I’m not quibbling about brisket. I love the 5 eggs, beaten I 2 egg yolks, beaten juicy tender cut of meat as much as the next person. But 10 short ribs 1/2 cup olive oil how many nights can you eat it? 2 cups matzo meal 1 cup boiling water I adore short ribs. It’s not an expensive cut of meat, 1/2 cup oil but its fl avourful, succulent, easy to prepare, can easily 1/2 cup Glick’s teriyaki sauce Fry the shallots in the cup of oil until golden. be reheated, and there’s no slicing! 1 cup Gefen barbecue sauce Drain and reserve oil. Matzo meal is Passover’s secret weapon. You will fi nd 1 cup Gefen steak sauce it secretly lurking in most recipes. In the short rib recipe After grating the potatoes, squeeze out the liquid. Place the grated potatoes in a bowl and add the below, matzo meal substitutes for fl our. Process the matzo meal until very fi ne. grated onion, potato starch, salt, pepper and cinna- A new ingredient I have introduced to my repertoire Dredge the ribs in the matzo meal and sauté on mon. Stir in the eggs, the egg yolks, oil and boiling is the shallot. Not to be confused with an onion, the each side for 2 minutes. water. Mix in the fried shallots. shallot is smaller with a reddish skin. Place ribs in a roasting pan. Heat two 9” x 11” Pyrex dishes in a 450 F oven. Add Once peeled, a shallot divides into cloves like garlic. Mix all the sauces together and pour over the 2 tablespoons of the reserved shallot oil to each pan It’s sweet and not as pungent as an onion. Chop off the meat. Seal the pan well with aluminum foil and roast and heat in oven until oil is hot. Add potato mixture shallot’s ends and peel the outer skin. covered at 350 F for 3 hours. to each pan. Lower oven temp to 375 F and bake 40 The kugel recipe containing shallots makes two May be made the day ahead and reheated. 9” x 13” dishes. And when can’t you use an extra kugel? minutes. Broil the kugels 2 minutes, then let stand 20 minutes to cool before cutting.

Streit’s: Lower East Side matzo factory CHOCOLATE FUDGE COOKIES Makes 24

started as local bakery in 1925 2 3/4 cups walnut halves (toasted and chopped fi nely) Continued from page 45 modern and old.” 3 cups icing sugar Adler says the 30 factory employees were shocked by Zapata, 53, says that all the employees are friends and (Gefen confectioner’s sugar) the news in December but are taking it “surprisingly have barbecues together around the city in the warmer 1/2 cup + 3 tablespoons cocoa well.” The company has told them that there are many months. 1/4 teaspoon salt jobs available at the New Jersey facility, but only three “We’ll remain tight,” he says. 4 extra large egg whites employees have taken the company up on the offer. Adler does not betray many emotions on the matter, 1 tablespoon vanilla Many of “the men,” as Adler calls the employees, but he offers a bittersweet anecdote on the neighbour- live in Queens and take public transportation to work, hood’s evolution. Shortly before the company fi rst Preheat oven to 350 F. meaning that a potential commute to New Jersey thought of selling the property in 2008, a man living Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. would be diffi cult. Streit’s is working with the New York in one of the condos adjacent to the factory complained Place 2 racks in the oven, one upper, one lower. Department of Labor to help them fi nd new jobs. to Adler about the noise and fl our dust coming out of Whisk together the sugar, cocoa and salt Anthony Zapata, who has worked at Streit’s for the building. Adler responded to his requests by block- Add toasted walnuts. 33 years, and who Adler says does everything from ing in and sealing several factory walls, and when he Add egg whites and vanilla and beat in mix master packing matzo to putting out fi res (“literally, not saw the man months later, he told him what he thought until batter is moist. Do not overbeat. fi guratively”), tells JTA that he is very depressed about would be “good news” about the factory’s potential Drop mounds of batter onto cookie sheets. Place the factory’s closing. He says the increased transporta- closing. one sheet on each of the racks positioned in oven. tion costs of travelling to New Jersey would be too “He said, ‘Oh,God, I don’t want condos – there won’t Bake 20 minutes until glossy. much for him. be enough parking on this street!’” Adler recalls. “All of Shift pans halfway through baking. “I’m going to miss this place, and I’m going to miss a sudden he liked my noise and my fl our dust. Cool and store in a container. everyone in it,” Zapata says. “I’ve never had a modern “I don’t know what they’ll do with this building now,” job to know what’s old, and what’s different between he adds, “but people don’t like change.” Lisa MacLeod, MPP Constituency Office: Nepean-Carleton 3500 Fallowfield Road, Unit 10 Nepean, Ontario K2J 4A7 My office is here to help Tel. (613) 823-2116 Fax (613) 823-8284 • Birth Certificates • Replacement of Official • Trillium, Drug Plan www.lisamacleod.com • Health Cards Documents • Ontario works • Family Responsibility • OHIP • OSAP • WSIB Office • Power of Attorney Kits Follow me on Twitter@MacLeodLisa www.facebook.com/LisaMacLeodMPP Working for you, Nepean-Carleton...and following through! 48 March 30, 2015 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM ‘Two-state solution is most practical and just outcome’

hile on sabbatical this semester, I’ve had Malino shares Dalfen’s frustration over the state of the time to refl ect on the craft of teaching the occupation. Yet they were both struck by one exchange sometimes volatile subject of Israeli- MIRA SUCHAROV in particular. It was with Barghouti, the promoter of the WPalestinian relations. I recently spoke with VALUES, ETHICS, BDS (boycott, divestment and sanctions) movement one of my colleague-friends about a hands-on course he against Israel. After hearing him speak, Dalfen, who had co-teaches on the topic, which involves a three-week COMMUNITY tried to stay quiet during most of the speaking engage- trip to Israel and the West Bank. ments to leave space for students to pose questions, Jonathan Malino teaches at Guilford College in North became agitated. “It sounds like you don’t want Israel to Carolina, where he is in the midst of retiring and moving exist,” she told Barghouti. to Ottawa to join Susannah Dalfen, whom he recently tion fi rst-hand. A pointed exchange followed between Dalfen and married. Susannah, a therapist by profession, joined the “I didn’t like what I saw,” Dalfen said. There were Malino on one side and Barghouti on the other. delegation on their recent trip to Israel and the West “gratuitous” obstacles, in her eyes, that Israel places Barghouti claimed that to be Zionist is to be racist. Bank. before West Bank Palestinians. “There’s … a collective Dalfen argued the importance of Israel for Jewish As the co-instructor, Malino said his central aim is to punishment aspect [to it] that [made me] very sad.” collective identity, while Malino pointed out the liberal impress upon students that the confl ict is complex and Dalfen described a Palestinian teenager in Ramallah defi ciencies in various other democracies. In contrast, nuanced, that neither side is monolithic. they met, who had been invited to a UN conference in BDS activists generally believe Jewish state character On this latest trip, the group met with a variety of Jerusalem, but could not attend as the Israeli military should be rolled back in favour of a binational state. experts and activists. wouldn’t grant her a permit. There were the farmers Malino and Dalfen, like the majority of Israelis and There were Cary Nelson, an American professor who denied water and electricity – in contrast to nearby Palestinians, believe a two-state solution is the most works to oppose academic boycotts of Israel; Tova settlements, which are well supplied. There are restric- practical and just outcome. Like most scholars and Hartman, professor of gender studies and founder of an tions against fl ying out of Ben-Gurion airport. West policy experts on the region, and like the liberal Zionists Orthodox feminist congregation; a young, female Bank Palestinians typically have to travel to Amman to with whom I identify, I agree with them. conscientious objector; and Tal Becker, legal adviser to fl y abroad. What do I take from all this? the Israeli foreign ministry. “It’s like we live in a chicken coop,” Dalfen recalled That seeing the occupation fi rst-hand can lead to a Palestinian speakers included Omar Barghouti, a one Palestinian describing it. sense of despair over shattered myths. At the same time, founder of the anti-Israel boycott movement; Amin This, coupled with the faction of Palestinians she coming face-to-face with those who seek to deny one’s Khalaf, founder of Hand-in-Hand coexistence schools, learned about who resist “normalizing” relations with collective national expression of sovereign identity can and Hanan Ashrawi, the Palestinian legislator. Israel and Israelis, and those who seek to “infl ame and also feel threatening. Dalfen is no stranger to Israeli affairs. Long active in magnify” the confl ict, “reinforcing Israeli security So what can we do? Ottawa’s Jewish community, she speaks Hebrew and has fears,” left Dalfen feeling pessimistic. We must listen to one another, and try as hard as we travelled to Israel eight times over the past fi ve decades. “It was hard for me to imagine them negotiating can to seek out pockets of justice and possibility where So I was particularly curious to hear her reactions to peace. The word ‘peace’ almost seemed an anathema to they might exist in that overlapping space between seeing the Palestinian areas and the effects of occupa- the people there.” what each side – and the strands within them – needs. Emerging Generation engagement reaching ‘new heights’

he Annual Campaign has been a main source of engage the emerging generation by making the cam- pride for the Jewish Federation of Ottawa’s paign more “exciting and enticing,” Fainer said. Emerging Generation (EG) Division this year. That necessary creative outreach is going to be TDivision director Ariel Fainer has been refl ect- MONIQUE ELLIOT especially useful in the coming years, as the Federation ing on the progress the EG Division has made so far in EMERGING GEN has challenged the EG Division in its strategic plan to this campaign, and giving critical thought to how the achieve 240 donors by 2019. A record 125 donors have Federation can further engage this unique demographic given to the EG Division Campaign so far this year. to make meaningful contributions to the community. “We have come a long [way] in just the three years we While the campaign is still ongoing, the EG Division have been running the EG Division campaign,” Fainer has already surpassed last year’s donations by 47 per “We are the future of the said. “We still have a long way to go. cent and has gained more than 30 new donors. The EG “We are the future of the Jewish community in Division also boasts an impressive 72 per cent retention Jewish community Ottawa and around the world. We need to show our rate of past donors. in Ottawa and around the world. commitment to the community,” she added. “The best “Fundraising and engagement has reached new We need to show our commitment ways to do that are to get involved, attend events and heights this year,” Fainer said. “I think that we are support the community through the Federation’s learning how to better reach the members of this to the community. Annual Campaign.” demographic and we are better at conveying the The best ways to do that Among the upcoming EG Division events is a dinner importance of contributing to the Annual Campaign.” are to get involved, attend events with Holocaust survivor Pinchas Gutter on April 15 at Reaching out to the emerging generation is no small 5:30 pm at the Soloway Jewish Community Centre feat, requiring the involvement of the director, two EG and support the community through before he delivers the keynote address at the commun- Division campaign co-chairs, 21 canvassers and an EG the Federation’s Annual Campaign.” ity-wide Yom HaShoah commemoration. Another is the Division steering committee of fi ve volunteers. division’s second annual Gratitude event on May 7, Encompassing an age range of 22 to 45, members are tailor their events and campaigns. This ensures the which will recognize EG Division campaign donors for experiencing a variety of important milestones and can majority of needs are met in such a diverse community. their generous contributions. have vastly different priorities. “Not everyone will be interested in every event or “We are doing amazing things, thanks to the involve- Fainer said it can be a challenge to ensure some program, but, hopefully, I can plan enough different ment of some amazing young members of the commun- individuals and groups within the demographic do not events, [that] everyone can fi nd something that excites ity,” Fainer said. “There is still a long way we can go, but become inactive and disengage from the community. them and draws them in,” she said. we are doing wonderful things along the way to our One of Fainer’s strategies is to visualize the demographic “This is where the EG Division steering committee is goals.” as three unique groups: ages 22-27, 28-35, and young so helpful. It is a varied group of individuals and they For more information about the Emerging Generation families. provide good insight into how we can try and meet the Division and events, visit www.jewishottawa.com/ While some groups may overlap with needs or needs of everyone in the demographic.” emerging-generation or contact Ariel Fainer at interests, Fainer says this helps her and other organizers The Federation must also step up and innovatively [email protected] or 613-798-4696, ext. 240. March 30, 2015 49 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM After divisive campaign, Israel’s new government must move beyond pettiness and embrace ‘Zionist can-doism’ srael’s election is over. Let’s hope the healing can completely at odds over settlements, the peace process begin. and a future Palestinian state. But it’s a possibility, and a It looks as if the Bibi-Sitter will be taking care of solution that could be remarkably effective, if egos gave BARBARA CROOK IIsrael again. As I write on the morning after the March way to pragmatism. 17 election, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud MY ISRAEL “Some of Israel’s greatest achievements, from the Six appears to have won 30 seats. The Zionist Union, which Day War in 1967 through the defeat of hyperinfl ation in pollsters predicted to upset Likud, ended up with only 24. 1985 to last decade’s war on terrorism were delivered by Netanyahu has already declared victory. But, since this unity governments,” says senior Jerusalem Post columnist is Israel and the winner needs 61 out of a possible 120 Amotz Asa-El. Knesset seats to form a government, his future depends Jerusalem Post, believes this support came from voters A national unity government would be the only hope on what kind of coalition he can cobble together among who had not cast a ballot in years, many of them from for electoral reform, which is impossible when small parties and leaders with wildly divergent interests and what he calls the “second Israel” – Sephardic Jews who single-issue parties hold the balance of power. agendas and who have been taking shots at each other for felt marginalized by the Ashkenazi elite represented by Which leads us to Kachlon, the man now considered the months. the left. kingmaker. The only good coalition is one which would lead to the Indeed, it appears that most of Likud’s gains since the He could join forces with his former party Likud – kind of electoral reform that would stop these stalemates 2013 election have come from right wing voters who despite his differences with Netanyahu – if Netanyahu and compromises once and for all. But I’m not holding my abandoned parties like Naftali Bennett’s Bayit Yehudi, agreed to include the other centrist party, Yesh Atid, in a breath. which lost four seats, and Avigdor Lieberman’s far-right centre-right coalition instead of the religious parties. The most striking development in this election was Yisrael Beiteinu, which lost seven – in favour of a stronger Kachlon would likely want the post of fi nance minister Netanyahu’s 11th hour decision to abandon all pretense of Likud. and a commitment from the prime minister to focus on being a centre-right candidate and appeal to hardline So, Netanyahu did not really broaden his power base or poverty, housing issues and reducing the high cost of voters on the right. increase his appeal to voters in the middle. living. The day before the election, he announced there would There will be 28 women in the 20th Knesset, one more There’s even a slim chance that Kachlon could use his be no Palestinian state under his watch. On Election Day, than in the last government, and 17 Arab members. infl uence to bring about a Likud-Zionist Union he railed against “left-wing NGOs” he claimed were The centrist vote appears to have moved from Yair government. bringing Arab voters to the polls “in droves.” Lapid’s Yesh Atid, which lost eight seats, to Moshe It would take courage from him, and a serious paradigm The 71.8 per cent turnout, the highest since 1999, did Kachlon’s new Kulanu party, which picked up 10 seats. shift for Netanyahu, to choose this option over rounding include more Arab voters than in the past. The Zionist Union was the big loser, even after Tzipi up the usual suspects for a right wing coalition that would Although he later backpedalled and said everyone Livni seemed to recognize she was a liability to the party be hobbled by special interests and would further alienate should be entitled to vote, Netanyahu’s comments came and announced she would not share the role of prime the United States and the European Union. across as racist and divisive, and should have alienated minister with coalition partner Isaac Herzog in a new But this is Israel, and stranger things have been known undecided or centrist voters. government. to happen. And yet his comments about Arab voters and rejection But it’s too soon to rule out Herzog and the Zionist After such a divisive campaign, the new government has of the two-state solution appear to have struck a chord Union. Israeli President Reuven Rivlin is expected to to fi nd a way to move beyond pettiness and personal with right wing voters who were turned off by the Zionist pressure Netanyahu to partner with his former rivals and attacks and embrace what Gil Troy calls “Zionist can-do- Union’s “anybody but Bibi” approach. form a national unity government. ism” – the unity among disparate populations that created McGill University professor Gil Troy, a columnist for the It sounds crazy, especially since the two parties are the miracle we know as the Jewish State. The ups and downs of weight management arie Osmond fl ashes her famous pearly whites We’re all human. As soon as we slip up, we’re tempted to as an announcer declares, “Lose fi ve pounds give up. There’s a fork in the road that separates those who and one inch off your waist in the fi rst week, or GLORIA SCHWARTZ succeed from those who fail. I picked myself up from my Myour money back.” This TV commercial is for a FOCUS ON face-plant in the potato salad and got back on track. Back to weight-loss program featuring prepackaged meals that moderation, back to better nutrition and back to eating out make weight-loss “easy.” The before photos depict average FITNESS of respect for my body. Joes and shlumpadinkas who look miserable. In their after During this time, I watched a TV show called Fat and photos, they are slim and polished. If you squint, you may Back. The documentary featured a very slim, athletic be able to read the fi ne print: “Results not typical.” woman who intentionally gained 45 pounds in three Is weight loss easy? What about long-term maintenance loss doesn’t always work that way. After the fi rst week, it’s months by changing her eating habits and activity level. after you’ve achieved your weight-loss goal? After a 10-day more realistic to lose one to two pounds per week, but our She gave up exercise and gorged on 6,000 calories of junk vacation in Florida that included dining out every night, I metabolism can slow when we consume fewer calories. It food every day to prove her point that people are “fat” as a was determined to get back into peak shape. I could see can be discouraging when you’re trying hard and the result of eating too much and moving too little. She lost the and feel extra fat around my mid-section. I decided to work pounds aren’t coming off. Weight loss has its ups and excess weight in three months by returning to her previous on losing fi ve pounds to feel and look better. The fi ve downs. The trend over time is what matters. lifestyle. However, along the way she managed to offend pounds itself wasn’t a big deal, but I didn’t want the When Bugs Bunny screws up, he famously quips, “I viewers with her holier-than-thou attitude, oversimplifi ca- weight-creep trend to continue. must have taken a wrong turn at Albuquerque.” The tions and intolerance of overweight people. I scaled back on my consumption of processed and Snowdon Deli is where I took a proverbial wrong turn. On a Weight loss involves caloric input and output, but there sugar-laden foods, reduced my evening snacking and day trip to Montreal, I ordered a variety of favourites to go. are other factors as well, especially for those who’ve stopped eating in restaurants. Sure enough, I lost fi ve It started with a smoked meat sandwich. Later, I noshed on struggled for years. There’s a huge psychological compon- pounds and an inch off my waist in one week, just like party sandwiches and mandelbrodt cookies in the car. All ent. When I reminded myself what really matters – health, Osmond. Only I didn’t buy meals from a program like the that would have been OK – I don’t consider it the end of the fi rst and foremost – recommitting to better habits wasn’t so one she endorses. Instead, I employed some self-discipline world to have a “cheat day” as long as you eat well most of hard. In conjunction with my exercise routine, the pounds and ate real food in appropriate amounts to achieve my the time. The problem was I’d bought enough of every- came off slowly and safely. goal in a healthy manner. thing to last a few days. So, I ate those treats three days in a When negative behaviours become habits, we suffer the I felt encouraged and motivated to continue. Then I row. I slowly started gaining. Have you ever noticed that, consequences, from weight gain to health issues. Whether plateaued. Several days went by and I didn’t lose an ounce. for most of us, it doesn’t take as much effort to gain weight we have to lose fi ve or 50 pounds, identifying our I kicked my scale. Maybe it was broken. The shortest as it does to lose weight? In less than a week, I gained back unhealthy patterns and holding ourselves accountable can distance between two points is a straight line, but weight three pounds. help us realign our behaviour with our goals. 50 March 30, 2015 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM

lovely vocals on the 11 selections, one can get easily lost in the sounds or in one’s own interpretations of these Musical offerings spiritual pieces. MICHAEL REGENSTREIF include songs of MUSIC Metropolitan Klezmer Mazel Means Good Luck Rhythm Media Records peace and prayer www.metropolitanklezmer.com one-repeated-word chant of “Halleluyah” that will In our Rosh Hashanah issue, I Fran Avni surely induce most listeners to sing along themselves as reviewed the latest album by Isle Kulanu: All of Us in Harmony they listen. of Klezbos, an all-woman klezmer www.harmonyhappenings.com band from New York City led by drummer Eve Sicular. Pharaoh’s Daughter Sicular also leads the larger, mixed-gender Metropolitan Kulanu: All of Us in Harmony, Dumiyah Klezmer whose new release, Mazel Means Good Luck, is the latest release from the Magenta a delightful live concert recording encompassing Montreal-based Jewish music www.pharaohsdaughter.com traditional klezmer melodies, Broadway tunes, Yiddish veteran Fran Avni, is a thought- songs and original material by Sicular and clarinet and ful, yet soothing, collection of songs and chants of hope On Dumiyah, her latest sax player Debra Kreisberg. and peace, most of which are based on prayers and album leading Pharaoh’s Daughter, singer Basya Among the album’s highlights are the swinging title biblical and Talmudic texts. Schecter presents a collection of Jewish prayers arranged song; the poignant “Di Fire Korbunes,” which tells of the Avni, who had a successful career in Israel in the creatively in musical settings in which she draws on the infamous Triangle Shirtwaist factory fi re in New York in 1970s as half of the duo Susan & Fran, leads a varied cast traditional sounds of Eastern Europe, the Middle East 1911 that killed 146 garment workers, most of them of harmony singers and backing musicians – including a and Africa, as well as contemporary rock – in intention women and most of them Jewish and Italian immi- couple of cantors, a rabbi and a gospel singer – in songs, and effect a reimagining of prayers she grew up with as a grants; Kreisberg’s impressionistic “Baltic Blue,” an as the CD’s title implies, meant to be sung together in child in a haredi Orthodox family. extended composition inspired by various Brooklyn harmony. A few of the prayers and sacred songs included here neighbourhoods; and a long medley, “Bonia’s Nigun/ A few of the songs are in Hebrew and a few are in are “Adon Olam,” which is sung at the end of most Cartagena Chosidl,” which encompasses both trad- English. Most of them, though, incorporate both synagogue services; “Zikaron,” from the Rosh Hashanah itional Chassidic niggunim and a contemporary piece languages. liturgy; “Avrohum,” based on the biblical text from that fuses traditional klezmer music with South Among my favourites are “If Not Now, Then When,” Genesis when the angel called for Abraham to stop the American music. Avni’s folkish setting of Hillel’s famous words from sacrifi ce of Isaac; and “Ribono,” a Yiddish text sung Perhaps the most fascinating track is the fi nale, Pirkei Avot; the prayer text “Bring the Peace/Sim during Havdalah. “J. Edgar Klezmer: When Israel Met Jenny,” an excerpt Shalom,” which is given a setting built on infectious Appropriately for this season, the album ends with from Sicular’s musical theatre piece J. Edgar Klezmer: African-like rhythms; “The Lion and the Lamb,” which “Shebishlifeynu,” a verse from “Ki l’olam chasdo,” Songs from My Grandmother’s FBI Files, based on family includes new verses in English written by Avni along which is sung during the Passover seder. stories and her activist grandmother’s FBI surveillance with the biblical text from Isaiah in Hebrew; and the Listening to the trance-like rhythms and Schechter’s fi les from the McCarthy era.

Members of the Ottawa Liberal Caucus wish you a Happy Passover! Chag Sameach!

Hon. Bob Chiarelli John Fraser Marie-France Lalonde Hon. Madeleine Meilleur Hon. Yasir Naqvi Ottawa West-Nepean Ottawa South Ottawa-Orléans Ottawa-Vanier Ottawa Centre 613-721-8075 613-736-9573 613-834-8679 613-744-4484 613-722-6414 March 30, 2015 51 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM

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The Board of Directors of the JOSEPH AND BETTY FELLER Our future is in your hands Ottawa Jewish Community Foun- ENDOWMENT FUND dation acknowledges with thanks In Memory of: To make a donation contributions to the following funds Joseph Feller by Gittel Tatz and family; by Laurence and Susan Schor; and by Joel, Shanah, as of March 2, 2015. and/or send a tribute card, David and Sam Barmish.

call the Foundation office ABELSON FAMILY JOSEPH AND HELEN FILLER (613-798-4696 ext. 274) ENDOWMENT FUND ENDOWMENT FUND In Memory of: In Observance of the Yahrzeit of: e-mail: [email protected] Libby Farovitch by Tracey Kronick. Joseph Filler, a dear father and father-in-law by Shelley and Andre Engel. website: www.OJCF.ca ARNOLD AND BELLA ABRAHAMSON MEMORIAL FUND SAM AND SUSAN FIRESTONE In Memory of: ENDOWMENT FUND Frances English by Mark and Ann Dover; by R’fuah Sh’leimah to: Join us in building our community Debora Dover-Paisley; and by Michael Dover. Norman Lesh by Sam and Susan Firestone. Mark Zunder by Sam and Susan Firestone. MARJORIE AND BEN ACHBAR by supporting these local agencies COMMUNITY ENDOWMENT FUND ALFRED AND KAYSA FRIEDMAN In Memory of: GREENBERG FAMILIES LIBRARY FUND JEWISH YOUTH LIBRARY OF OTTAWA ENDOWMENT FUND Frances English by Marjorie and Ben In Honour of: ENDOWMENT FUND In Memory of: Achbar. Roger Greenberg being the recipient of The DAVID “THE BEAR” KARDASH Joseph Feller by Alfred and Kaysa Friedman. Order of Canada Award by Chick Taylor; and by Conrad Prevost by Alfred and Kaysa CAMP B’NAI BRITH MEMORIAL FUND JOSEPH AGES FAMILY FUND Steven and Shelli Kimmel and family. Friedman. OTTAWA JEWISH CEMETERIES In Appreciation to: In Memory of: ZICHARON FUND Murray Ages by Wendy and Mike Green. Solly Patrontasch by Roger Greenberg and ZELDA AND JOHN GREENBERG Cindy Feingold. OTTAWA JEWISH ENDOWMENT FUND COMMUNITY SCHOOL ANNE AND LOUIS ARRON In Observance of the Yahrzeit of: OTTAWA JEWISH COMMUNITY PARENT FUND MEMORIAL FUND John Greenberg by Margot Greenberg. R’fuah Sh’leimah to: ENDOWMENT FUND OTTAWA JEWISH Zelda Greenberg by Margot Greenberg. Beverly Gluzman by Daphne and Stanley Condolences to: COMMUNITY SCHOOL Arron. The Walt family on the loss of Josh’s dear AGENCY FUND JEREMY KANTER MEMORIAL FUND mother by Madelaine and Joel Werier and family. In Memory of: In Memory of: OTTAWA JEWISH CLAIRE AND IRVING BERCOVITCH COMMUNITY SCHOOL Marilyn Rosentzveig by Julie Kanter and Joe Anita Landis by Jody and Gary Roodman. ENDOWMENT FUND Silverman. CHILDREN OF THE BOOK Mazel Tov to: OTTAWA POST JEWISH WAR AWARD FUND Susan Caplan-Firestone and Phil Firestone ARTHUR AND SARAH KIMMEL VETERANS FUND OTTAWA JEWISH on the birth of their granddaughter, Mavi by In Memory of: MEMORIAL FUND COMMUNITY SCHOOL Claire Bercovitch. Birthday Wishes to: Aileen Romberg by Randi and Ian Sherman ENDOWMENT FUND R’fuah Sh’leimah to: and family. Jennie Singer by Roslyn and Arnie Kimmel OTTAWA JEWISH Norman Lesh by Claire Bercovitch. and family. Mark Zunder by Claire Bercovitch. AJA 50+ ENDOWMENT FUND COMMUNITY SCHOOL FUND IN MEMORY OF EVA WINTROB RIVA AND ABRAHAM KROLL AJA 50+ DAVID SMITH SANDI AND EDDY COOK OTTAWA JEWISH MEMORIAL FUND OTTAWA JEWISH ENDOWMENT FUND COMMUNITY SCHOOL HISTORICAL SOCIETY FUND In Observance of the Yahrzeit of: Birthday Wishes to: Riva Kroll, a dear aunt by Yvonne and SCHOLARSHIP FUND OTTAWA LODGE B’NAI BRITH #885 Stan Zack by Sandi and Eddy Cook and Harvey Lithwick. AKIVA EVENING HIGH SCHOOL PAST PRESIDENTS FUND family. ENDOWMENT FUND OTTAWA LODGE B’NAI BRITH #885 In Memory of: ANNICE AND SYDNEY KRONICK ADINA BEN PORAT MACHON SARAH PRESIDENTS SCHOLARSHIP FUND Frances English by Sandi and Eddy Cook FAMILY FUND TORAH EDUCATION FUND OTTAWA MODERN and family. Birthday Wishes to: Mazel Tov to: SHIRLEY AND SHIER BERMAN FUND JEWISH SCHOOL FUND Richard Kronick by Sally and Elliott Jeremy Cammy and family on his daughter, FOR OTTAWA JEWISH ARCHIVES OTTAWA TORAH INSTITUTE Levitan. Madison’s Bat-Mitzvah by Samantha Cook. Debi Zaret by Sally and Elliott Levitan. DORIS BRONSTEIN TALMUD TORAH TORAH EDUCATION FUND Arthur and Mary Gordon on the birth of AFTERNOON SCHOOL FUND PINCHAS ZUKERMAN MUSIC their granddaughter, Bradley by Sandi and Eddy JOSEPH AND EVELYN LIEFF BARRY FISHMAN EDUCATION FUND Cook and family. ENDOWMENT FUND OTTAWA JEWISH BULLETIN RAMBAM MAIMONIDES Birthday Wishes to: SCHOLARSHIP FUND JEWISH CONTINUITY FUND LOU EISENBERG CAMP B’NAI BRITH Linda Mirsky by Evelyn Lieff. MARTIN GLATT PARLIAMENT LODGE SOLOWAY JEWISH SCHOLARSHIP FUND Mazel Tov to: B’NAI BRITH PAST PRESIDENTS’ FUND COMMUNITY CENTRE In Memory of: Jeff and Enid Gould on the marriage of their MENDEL AND VALERIE GOOD EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION FUND Manny Wax by Jackie, David, Rachel and son, Andy to Kendra by Evelyn Lieff. Zev Lyman. HOLOCAUST SOLOWAY JEWISH COMMUNITY CONTINUING EDUCATION FUND SUMMER CAMP SCHOLARSHIP FUND ARNOLD AND ROSE LITHWICK CYNTHIA AND ABE ENGEL MEMORIAL FUND FUND FOR THE NEXT GENERATION SOLOWAY JEWISH ENDOWMENT FUND Anniversary Wishes to: HILLEL LODGE LEGACY FUND COMMUNITY CENTRE In Appreciation to: Harvey and Yvonne Lithwick by Pam Beiles ENDOWMENT FUND JEWISH COMMUNITY CEMETERY David Migicovsky by Stephanie Engel. and family. HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL FUND SOLOWAY JEWISH JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES COMMUNITY CENTRE MARJORIE AND MICHAEL FELDMAN IRVING AND ELLEN LITHWICK AGENCY FUND YOUTH SERVICES FUND FAMILY FUND ENDOWMENT FUND Birthday Wishes to: JEWISH MEN’S TORAH ACADEMY OF OTTAWA Birthday Wishes to: Michael Feldman by Murray and Bryna SOFTBALL LEAGUE FUND TORAH EDUCATION FUND Vicki Weiss by Yvonne and Harvey Cohen; by Sol and Zelaine Shinder; by Dodo Lithwick and family. JEWISH STUDENTS ASSOCIATION - SARA AND ZEEV VERED and Liney Bronstein; and by Andy and Sandy HILLEL FUND ISRAEL CULTURAL PROGRAM FUND Siggner. Continued on page 52 52 March 30, 2015 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM

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PERCY AND SHELLEY OSTROFF Mazel Tov to: JACK AND SARAH SILVERSTEIN PHILLIP AND CATHY STEIN FAMILY FUND Rabbi Yehoshua & Rivky Botnick on the FAMILY ENDOWMENT FUND FAMILY FUND In Memory of: upcoming marriage of Shaina and Levi by Alti Birthday Wishes to: In Memory of: Sybil Geller by Percy and Shelley Ostroff. and Berel Rodal. Sarah Silverstein by Carol and Laurie Solly Patrontasch by Phillip and Cathy Chaya and Yanky Hershkop on the birth and Pascoe. Stein. THE OTTAWA LION OF JUDAH bris of Dovber by Alti and Berel Rodal. ENDOWMENT FUND Chana Raizel and Sender Kagan on the STELLA AND LOUIS SLACK DORIS AND RICHARD STERN In Appreciation to: birth and bris of Dovber by Alti and Berel MEMORIAL FUND FAMILY FUND Linda Nadolny-Cogan by Sharon Appotive. Rodal. In Memory of: In Memory of: Sunny Tavel by Sharon Appotive. Zalmy and Leahle Kagan on the birth and Betty Ridker by Lester and Myra Aronson Lou Fruitman by Doris and Richard Stern. bris of Shmuel by Alti and Berel Rodal. and family. HARRY AND BERTHA PLEET Chana Raizel and Sender Kagan on the SUSAN, GILLIE AND ELIE VERED MEMORIAL FUND MOE AND CHARLOTTE SLACK birth and bris of Shmuel by Alti and Berel FAMILY FUND In Honour of: MEMORIAL FUND Rodal. In Memory of: Shirley Steinberg receiving The Ben Karp Birthday Wishes to: Nechama Dina and Zalmy Teichtel on Bernie Blumenthal by Susan and Gillie Soloway JCC Volunteer Service Award by Jacquelin Holzman by Marlene Levine and the birth of Esther Rivka by Alti and Berel Vered. Pinchas and Barbara Pleet. Andrew Siman. Rodal. In Observance of the Yahrzeit of: ZIPES KARANOFSKY FAMILY Yaacov Pleet, a dear brother by Pinchas and Chana Raizel and Sender Kagan on the birth DAVE SMITH ENDOWMENT FUND ENDOWMENT FUND Barbara Pleet. of Esther Rivka by Alti and Berel Rodal. In Memory of: In Memory of: Zeldi & Avremi Richter on the birth of Freda Smith by Sally and Elliott Levitan. ALTI AND BEREL RODAL Feigie by Alti and Berel Rodal. Marilyn Rosentzveig by Rick and Helen Zipes. FAMILY FUND Rabbi Samuel and Dvora Rodal on the birth THE DAVID SMITH FUND Barbara Anne Westphal by Rick and Helen Condolences to: of Feigie by Alti and Berel Rodal. FOR JEWISH LIFE Zipes. Fariel Balass and family on the loss of a Jane and Gigi Mechlowitz on the birth and In Memory of: Mazel Tov to: dear mother and grandmother, Aliza by Alti and bris of Mordechai Gavriel by Alti and Berel Freda Smith by Sally and Elliott Levitan. Berel Rodal. Rodal. Victor and Laraine Kaminsky on the birth of their grandson, Blake Zev by Rick and Helen Esther Gilbert on the loss of her dear Martin Tony and Anne Spieler on the birth and MAX AND PEARL SMOLKIN Zipes. by Alti and Berel Rodal. bris of Mordechai Gavriel by Alti and Berel FAMILY FUND Sandy Rotman and family on the loss of her Rodal. In Observance of the Yahrzeit of: dear Joe by Alti and Berel Rodal. Max Smolkin by Sheila Smolkin and family. THE WOMEN’S COLLECTIVE Paul Shapiro on the loss of his dear Anne by SYLVIA AND HARRY SHERMAN PHILANTHROPY PROGRAM Alti and Berel Rodal. MEMORIAL FUND PATRICIA SMOLKIN MEMORIAL FUND Providing support for services and programs In Memory of: In Memory of: Mazel Tov to: that directly benefit women and children. Neri Bloomfield by Alti and Berel Rodal. Aileen Romberg by Jack, Julie and Louis Jeff and Enid Gould on the marriage of their Leon Katz by Alti and Berel Rodal. Sherman. son, Andy to Kendra by Howard Smolkin. Continued on page 53 Donating made easy at www.OJCF.ca Donations can be made for all occasions and life-cycle events. Use our online donation form to send one or multiple tribute cards to your friends and loved ones in one secure transaction. Charitable receipts are issued and sent directly to your email account. Try it TODAY! March 30, 2015 53 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM

foundation donations | Ottawa Jewish Community Foundation

WOMEN’S COLLECTIVE LIEFF FAMILY Contributions may be made Attractive cards are sent to ENDOWMENT FUND B’NAI MITZVAH FUND online at www.OJCF.ca or by convey the appropriate senti- Mazel Tov to: Mazel Tov to: Estelle Fogell on the birth of her great- Peter and Debra Szirtes on the birth of contacting the office at 613-798- ments. grandson by Lynne Oreck-Wener and Bob their grandson, Judah Zion King Cracower by 4696 extension 274, Monday All donations are acknowl- Wener. Francie Greenspoon and Norman Lieff. to Friday or also by email at edged with a charitable tax Dorothy Ullman on the birth of her grandson [email protected]. receipt. by Lynne Oreck-Wener and Bob Wener. DAHLIA AND ZACHARY SHABSOVE B’NAI MITZVAH FUND THE SAUL AND EDNA GOLDFARB Birthday Wishes to: B’NAI MITZVAH PROGRAM Gerry Cammy by Chuck and Adrienne Shabsove and family. NOAH HAMBURG In Memory of: MITZVAH FUND Frances English by Chuck and Adrienne Mazel Tov to: Shabsove. David Palayew on his Bar Mitzvah by the Jerry Kushner by Chuck and Adrienne Hamburg Family. Shabsove and family.  KRPHZDWFKFDUHJLYHUVFRP /HWRXUIDPLO\FDUHIRU\RXUV $IIRUGDEOH&DUH6ROXWLRQV :KHQ\RXQHHGDVVLVWDQFH  ZLWKDVHQLRUIDPLO\ x 1XUVHV6RFLDO:RUNHUV3HUVRQDO&DUH PHPEHUDGXOWRUFKLOGZH 3URIHVVLRQDOVDQG&RPSDQLRQV DUHFRPPLWWHGWRSURYLGLQJ x 3RVW6XUJLFDO$VVLVWDQFH +RVSLWDO+RPH  FRPSDVVLRQDWHFDUHWKURXJK x 6SHFLDOL]HG'HPHQWLD&DUH H[SHULHQFHGFDULQJVWDII x %DFN8S&KLOG&DUH x +RXUO\WR+RXU&DUH

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● FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL JEAN MYERS AT 613.688.3530, EXT. 3 ● www.jewishmemorialgardens.org ● 54 March 30, 2015 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM Israeli best-seller is both hilariously funny and highly disturbing

Catch the Jew! By Tuvia Tenenbaum Gefen Publishing House 484 pages BOB DALE atch the Jew! is both one of the funniest and most BOOK REVIEW disturbing books I have ever read. Posing alternatively as a German investigative Creporter named Tobi, a Muslim named Abu Ali, and sometimes as a Jew named Tuvia, author Tuvia great-grandchildren. An UNRWA offi cial says they now Tenenbom spends seven months travelling through Israel number 11 million, but admits UNRWA doesn’t know the and Palestinian-administered territories to fi nd out what original number of refugees. This means there is abso- people on all sides really think about Israelis and lutely no basis for its current estimates; Palestinians. The multilingual, multicultural Tenenbom, • The Bethlehem Peace Center, whose printed guide- an Israeli-born playwright, author and journalist based in book says that a total of 368,000 Zionist colonists immi- New York and Germany, has “countless encounters” with grated to Palestine, massacred Palestinians and then everyday people, politicians, religious leaders and, above planted fast-growing pine trees to cover up their crimes. all, human-rights activists, gaining their confi dence and According to another publication, these people weren’t encouraging them to divulge their opinions and attitudes. even real Jews; The main theme is that there is a toxic brew of Jew- • European Commission-funded trips to Yad Vashem, hatred in Palestinian society, masquerading behind aimed at naïve, idealistic young Europeans, led by purported human rights activities. The vast majority of “Itamar,” a self-proclaimed ex-Jew and educator. He turns those are not only funded, but also directed on the ground the Holocaust story into a comparison between yester- by some 150 European-based non-governmental organiza- day’s Nazis and today’s Israelis, telling one audience the tions (NGOs). Israeli army is doing exactly the same thing to illegal Here are some of Tenenbom’s fi ndings: African migrants as the Nazis did to Jews in the concentra- work and thrive in Israel. Some have renounced Judaism, • The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) tion camps, and that Israel orders the Palestinian while more have no knowledge of Arabic or Arab culture, invests great sums of money and effort in fi nding fault Authority to turn over Palestinians to be executed just as relying on translators for their information. Many have with Israel. Its agents actively search for stories to paint the people of the Lodz ghetto were forced to deliver Jews no Palestinian friends and few have ever visited a Israel as a warmonger and Israelis as war criminals. Its to the Nazis; Palestinian home. These journalists and intellectuals scholars compose sophisticated tales masked as reports. • Al-Quds University, which gives a lecture series support the Palestinian cause as they think they know it. In the Internet age, most people therefore see the Red fi nanced by the European Commission focusing on the But they don’t. Cross as a society of human angels and Israelis “as a denial of Palestinians’ human rights. Tenenbom chats None of this concerns one journalist, who is highly bunch of animalistic devils”; with several professors, mostly from European countries. critical of Israel’s human rights record and tells Tenenbom • The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for One says the Israeli occupation began in 1948, while that he isn’t interested in Palestinian human rights Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) helps Palestinian refugees, another says the Israelis crucifi ed Jesus. Yet another, a violations because what they do isn’t his business. defi ned as “persons whose normal place of residence was Palestinian, claims Palestinians can’t own houses, but Another fi les a 1,000-word story, completely false, about Palestine during the period June 1, 1946 to May 15, 1948, later discloses that he owns two. the destitute Palestinians living in Khirbet al-Makhul, a and who lost both home and means of livelihood as a Energetically supporting these undertakings are an place he has never visited. result of the 1948 confl ict.” The agency has extended this assortment of left wing journalists and intellectuals who Tenenbom uses humour to underline absurdities. defi nition to their children, grandchildren and oppose the idea of a Jewish state, while continuing to live, When a human rights spokesperson claims Israel demol- ishes 1,000 Bedouin homes per year, Tenenbom calculates that a total of 65,000 homes must have been demolished, an impossibility given the size of the community. The

PLANT A TREE Chanukah features Ken SCHACHNOW FOR ALL OCCASIONS Sales Representative offi cial quickly changes his fi gure “with the stroke of the DIRECT: 613.292.2200 TREES $18 | TREE BANK $150 FOR 10 TREES HAPPY CHANUKAH! and columns OFFICE: 613.829.1818 [email protected] EMAIL: [email protected] KELLERWILLIAMS 613-798-2411 VIP REALTY www.kenschachnow.com > pages 6, 7, 13, 17, 19, 24, 26 Brokerage, Independently Owned And Operated tongue.” This offi cial has an iPhone, drives a Mercedes READ ALL 19 ISSUES Ottawa Jewish Bulletin and has a law degree from an Israeli university, all of DECEMBER 8, 2014 | 16 KISLEV 5775 ESTABLISHED 1937 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM | $2 which Tenenbom says are “the truest trademarks of the Celebrating 40 years Flames of faith to be relit poor Bedouin community” he has taken him to. PER YEAR. of partnership When an ICRC offi cial claims to have seen Israeli The Ottawa Jewish Community Foundation and Jewish Federation of Ottawa have worked together for four decades. Louise Rachlis soldiers throw a bomb into a Palestinian house and speaks with current leaders of both organizations and a founder of the Foundation. Tenenbom asks for proof, she says she has pictures on her ne of the founders of the Ottawa Jewish Community SUBSCRIBE TODAY! Foundation calls it a “miracle” phone but “the phone, how sad, has broken.” Othat the Foundation got started back in 1971. But the Foundation has thrived, and 2015 marks the 40th anniversary of the Tenenbom’s concludes that Israel will eventually partnership between the Jewish Federation of Ottawa – known as the Jewish Community Council of Ottawa/ Vaad Ha’Ir until 2005 – and the Ottawa Jewish Community Foundation. Ottawa Jewish Community Foundation collapse, not only because of direct attempts by The Foundation gives donors a vehicle Chair Lynne Oreck-Wener (left) and Jewish to contribute to the long-term fi nancial Federation of Ottawa Chair Steven Kimmel stability of the Ottawa Jewish community look forward to further collaboration as the and to support the needs of the agencies two organizations mark 40 years of working Europeans (including their NGO funding) to undermine together. serving it. “The work of the Jewish Federation of Ottawa and the Foundation are community. It’s a holistic way of looking synergistic,” said Andrea Freedman, at our community,” said Foundation it, but also because of the deep hatred held for the country president and CEO of the Federation and Chair Lynne Oreck-Wener. “Our missions the Foundation. “The Federation’s are different, but we work co-operatively. Contact: Annual Campaign takes care of needs We give a signifi cant amount to the today, while the Foundation contributes Federation from our allocated funds Susan Bloomfield presents the menorah she inherited from her great-uncle Gerard Richel by infl uential Jews, notably left wing Israeli academics to meeting today’s needs, and also every year. Working in partnership and to Rabbi Menachem Blum of the Ottawa Torah Centre Chabad (OTC). Richel received the secures our future. At the Foundation, shared staff makes so much more sense.” menorah as a gift from the Jewish family he hid in the attic of his home in The Netherlands we like to say that there you actually can “We’ve recently strengthened and during the Second World War, thus saving them from the Nazis. The menorah will be lit ‘live forever’ by making a legacy gift.” expanded our relationship through during Chanukah for the first time since the war at OTC. (For more about this menorah, see Rabbi Blum’s From the Pulpit column on page 6.) and journalists. I can’t disagree with many of his criti- “We are working together, and our legacy gifts,” said Federation Chair Steven BARRY SILVERMAN partnership is of great benefi t to the See Partnership on page 4 Hillel Lodge resident survives Ottawa’s only Barbara Crook on Jerusalem cisms about Israel, especially relating to the toxicity of its inside: atomic bomb at Nagasaki > p. 3 female mashgiach > p. 11 synagogue attack > p. 25

World Class Outsourcing ... and more! political and religious fanaticism. However, I feel – or, 613-798-4696, ext. 256 | 613-744-6444 613-244-7225 maybe better, hope and pray – that the resilience of Providing quality service 613-744-5767 613-244-4444 to the National Capital Region Publication Mail Agreement No. 40018822 since 1947! www.boydgroup.on.ca Israelis and their willingness and proven ability to [email protected] respond to their constant existential challenges will enable them to turn the tide against these scoundrels as JEAN MYERS, 613-798-4696, ext. 242 | well as the organizations that fund them. [email protected] The Hebrew-language version of Catch the Jew! was Israel’s best-selling book of 2014. The English-language version was published in North America last month. March 30, 2015 55 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM

what’s going on | March 30 to April 12, 2015 FOR MORE CALENDAR LISTINGS, VISIT WWW.OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM/CALENDAR AND WWW.JEWISHOTTAWA.COM/COMMUNITY-CALENDAR

MONDAY, MARCH 30 MONDAY, APRIL 6 Sephardi Association of Ottawa Postcards from Auschwitz: Hillary Earl, associate Ottawa Talmud Circle:The Glebe Minyan is starting a Mimouna Celebration: professor of European History, Nippissing University, Talmud circle open to all interested in learning Talmud Join in this traditional community-wide explores “death tourism,” and questions the utility of and actively engaging with it. end of Passover event, 1 pm. tourism and travel to sites of genocide, 7:30 pm. The Glebe Minyan, 64 Powell Ave., 6 pm. Info: [email protected] Info: Roz Wollock, 613-798-9818, ext. 254, Info: Talia Johnson, [email protected] [email protected] COMING SOON Women Scholarship & Judaism, Part 2: WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15 TUESDAY, MARCH 31 with Prof. Adele Reinhartz. Topic: “Jesus of Hollywood.” Yom HaShoah Community Commemoration: Malca Pass Library Book Discussion Group: Agudath Israel Congregation, 1400 Coldrey Ave., 7:30 pm. with keynote speaker Holocaust survivor “The Museum of Extraordinary Things” by Alice Info: Miram Lerson, 613-728-3501, Pinchas Gutter, 7. Hoffman will be reviewed by Alvina Ruprecht. [email protected] Info: Benita Siemiatycki, 613-798-4644, Congregation Agudath Israel, 1400 Coldrey Ave., 7:30 pm. FRIDAY, APRIL 10 [email protected] Info: Maureen Kaell, 613-224-8649, Vegetarian Shabbat Dinner: Gather for a vegetarian [email protected] potluck dinner. Please bring a vegetarian contribution CANDLE LIGHTING BEFORE FRIDAY, APRIL 3 (no fi sh or meat) to share. Glebe Minyan, 64 Powell Avenue, 6 pm. FIRST DAY OF PESACH EIGHTH DAY OF PESACH Shabbat Shalom at the SJCC:Fun Shabbat celebration APRIL 3 7:17 PM APRIL 10 7:22 PM Info: Anna Maranta, 613-867-5505, and playgroup with story time, songs, play and more. SECOND DAY OF PESACH APRIL 17 7:31 PM 9:15 to 10:45 am. [email protected] APRIL 4 after 8:16 PM APRIL 24 7:40 PM Weekly until June 26. SUNDAY, APRIL 12 SEVENTH DAY OF PESACH MAY 1 7:49 PM Info: Ella Dagan, 613-798-9818, ext. 243, APRIL 9 7:20 PM MAY 8 7:57 PM Na’amat Ottawa Spring into Health: [email protected] with keynote speaker Dr. Yoni Freedhoff, fi tness work- BULLETIN DEADLINES Community-wide Passover Seder: shop on strengthening your body without the use of MONDAY, APRIL 6 ** FOR APRIL 27 Join Rabbi Idan Scher and his family. equipment, and a healthy lunch. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22 FOR MAY 11 Congregation Machzikei Hadas, 2310 Virginia Dr., 7:25 pm. Nepean Sportsplex, Hall F, 1701 Woodroffe Ave., WEDNESDAY, MAY 6 FOR TUESDAY, MAY 26 Info: Michelle Pulvermacher, 613-521-9700, 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3 FOR JUNE 22 [email protected] Info/tickets: [email protected] ** Early deadline: holiday closures (all dates subject to change)

UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED, ACTIVITIES TAKE PLACE AT THE JOSEPH AND ROSE AGES FAMILY BUILDING, 21 NADOLNY SACHS PRIVATE

condolences

Condolences are extended to the families of:

Majer Chowet, Montreal Dr. Piney Pollock Manuel (Manny) Wax, Montreal, The Condolence Column (father of Nancy Chowet) Evelyn Stanislawski, Montreal (father of Marla Wax) is offered as a public service Bert Knoll (mother of Sheila Osterer) to the community. There is no charge. Leonna Merson (née Liebhoff) Jacob Sultan, Montreal May their memory (father of Ilana For listing in this column, Solly Patrontasch be a blessing please call 613-798-4696, ext. 274. Sultan-Benzaquen) always.

From our family to yours, we wish you joy at Passover and

50 Bayswater Avenue • Ottawa, Ontario K1Y 2E9 throughout the year Tel: 613-759-8383 • Fax: 613-759-8448 • Email: [email protected] www.districtrealty.com 56 March 30, 2015 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM