JNF OTTAWA NEGEV DINNER HONOURING LAWRENCE GREENSPON BREAKING NEWS SUPPORTING CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS NOV. 6 · INFINITY CENTRE DAILY AT JNFOTTAWA.CA FOR DETAILS [email protected] 613.798.2411 www.ottawajewishbulletin.com Ottawa Jewish Bulletin OCTOBER 9, 2017 | TISHREI 19, 5778 ESTABLISHED 1937 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM | $2 HOWARD SANDLER (From left) Annual Campaign Co-Chairs Aviva Ben Choreen and Sharon Appotive, Jewish HOWARD SANDLER Federation of Ottawa President and CEO Andrea Freedman, keynote speaker Hillel Neuer, Sharon and Bram lead a singalong at the family concert kicking off the Jewish Federation of and Kickoff Co-Chairs Karen Palayew and Lorne Segal gather at the Jewish Federation of Ottawa Ottawa 2018 Annual Campaign, September 17, at Kehillat Beth Israel. 2018 Annual Campaign Kickoff, September 17, at the Soloway Jewish Community Centre. Hillel Neuer and Sharon and Bram kick off 2018 Annual Campaign BY NORAH MOR at the Soloway Jewish Community Centre. It was the Neuer pointed to the UN Human Rights Council as he Jewish Federation of Ottawa 2018 Annual second year that the Annual Campaign Kickoff also particularly problematic. Campaign kicked off with two events on included an event for young families. “Though the UN Human Rights Council was September 17: a family concert with children’s Neuer, who grew up in Montreal, said his work is founded by great and ethical people, it was hijacked music stars Sharon and Bram in the afternoon, tempered by both his Jewish and Canadian values. He by the greatest human rights abusers in the world,” Tand a program featuring keynote speaker Hillel Neuer, pointed out that two important anniversaries will be he said, pointing out that the council includes such the Geneva-based executive director of UN Watch, in observed in November: the 100th anniversary of the countries as Saudi Arabia, Congo, Burundi, Qatar and the evening. Balfour Declaration, “the first time in history the inter- Venezuela, who receive “legitimation by being mem- Sharon and Bram delighted kids and parents with national community recognized the indigenous rights bers of the council.” their trademark singalongs at the sold-out afternoon of the Jewish people to the land of Palestine,” and the Neuer said the council has seven permanent items concert at Kehillat Beth Israel while Neuer discussed 70th anniversary of the UN vote to partition Palestine on its agenda, one of which addresses human rights his ongoing work standing up for human rights and into Jewish and Arab states. violations all over the world, and another that sole- against the persecution of the State of Israel at United Neuer said we must now fight back against the ly addresses violations committed by Israel against Nations (UN) bodies in Europe at the evening event many groups that seek to delegitimize Israel. See Kickoff on page 2 Ottawa Vaad HaKashrut certifies Michael Regenstreif on the difference Barbara Crook on Canada’s contribution inside: medical marijuana > p. 2 one person can make > p. 7 to UNRWA > p. 21 Efficient, elegant, exceptional. The Audi A6 Sedan. October 9, 2017 2 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM HOWARD SANDLER Hillel Neuer, executive director of UN Watch, speaks at the Jewish Federation of Ottawa 2018 Annual Campaign Kickoff, September 17, at the Soloway Jewish Community Centre. with a group from Camp B’nai Brith HOWARD SANDLER of Ottawa in leading a couple of songs Kids and parents enjoy Sharon and Bram’s family concert kicking off the Jewish Federation of Ottawa 2018 Annual Campaign, September 17, at and testimonies from several com- Kehillat Beth Israel. munity members on how programs and organizations supported by funds raised by the Annual Campaign have impacted them. Kickoff: ‘We need to light the candle of truth’ Annual Campaign Co-Chairs Sharon Continued from page 1 Neuer said UN Watch is active on Jews managed to survive persecution Appotive and Aviva Ben-Choreen also the Palestinians. In the past decade, many human rights dossiers beyond [throughout history] because we knew addressed the gathering. he said, the council has passed more Israel. the truth. Diplomacy and advocacy can Appotive said the Jewish world is resolutions condemning Israel than “We carry a badge of honour as make a difference. Now we need to light stronger when it stands together and all of the other countries in the world countless leaders of dictatorships the candle of truth.” “that’s what the Federation is all about.” combined. despise us.” The evening was hosted by Kickoff Ben-Choreen introduced the 2018 By methodically singling out Israel, Neuer concluded his talk by chal- Co-Chairs Karen Palayew and Lorne Chai Challenge and urged Annual Cam- Neuer said, “the UN violates its own lenging the audience “to fight back and Segal and began with Shinshinim Idan paign donors to increase their gifts to charter.” speak the truth – because it matters. Ben Ari and Noa Gil joining forces the Campaign in multiples of 18. Gatineau company launches line of medical marijuana products with kosher certification BY LOUISE RACHLIS product line, Elixir cannabis peppermint kosher certification.” by Health Canada under the Access to atineau-based Hydropothecary’s oil and the H2 line of milled products. The next new product will be kosher Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regula- processed medical marijuana “Kosher certification is important to as well, he said. tions (Canada). products have been granted Hydropothecary because it reflects our “Kosher certification is something “Medical products required for health kosher certification by the emphasis on rigorous testing, indepen- that is relied upon by many people,” and well-being are eligible for kosher GOttawa Vaad HaKashrut (OVH), and the dent third-party oversight and our focus said Rabbi Teitlebaum, “including veg- certification,” said Rabbi Teitlebaum. need for those products is immediate. on easy-to-use product innovations,” ans, vegetarians and people who are With legalization of marijuana for recre- “This is something that will help said Sebastien St-Louis, Hydropothecary careful about what they consume, as a ational use, which comes into effect in people who need this for their health in CEO and co-founder. “As the only med- symbol of trust. What this certification July, 2018, however, the ethics of using a Ottawa,” said Rabbi Levy Teitlebaum, ical marijuana company in Canada with shows is the value placed on proper eti- product simply for enjoyment will have the OVH director. “I’ve actually received current kosher-certified processed prod- quette for kosher and for being able to to be considered. phone calls from people who wanted to ucts, we take great pride in having the care for people. That is a beautiful har- Those taking medical marijuana use such products and now they can. support of the council for kashrut.” mony between the council and Hydro- will know a product is kosher certified The products are available in Ottawa The company has been in operation pothecary.” because the symbol will appear on the now,” he said, laughing that they were for two years. Obtaining kosher certification label of every Hydropothecary product out in time for the “High Holidays.” “Nine months ago we added a focus requires several components, including that is kosher certified. Clients can also The announcement was made on on innovation, adding new products to an audit of cleaning protocols, kosher obtain a letter of kosher certification September 19, the day before Erev Rosh market,” said St-Louis. “The kosher cer- compliance review and on-site inspec- from Hydropothecary. Hashanah. tification added the second layer to our tions throughout the year. “We’ve had other companies asking It is the only kosher certification already robust quality systems and stan- “This is a rigorous, independent, about similar products, but we particu- currently granted to cannabis products dard operating procedures. Any time third-party certification process that larly respect the dignity that this com- in Canada, and is only for medicinal we can increase quality for our patients goes from A to Z,” said Rabbi Teitle- pany shows their clients,” said Rabbi marijuana, said Rabbi Teitlebaum. In the and a new product, that’s something baum. “Hydropothecary’s products not Teitlebaum. “It’s not like a little baggie, United States, the Orthodox Union has we strive for. Our goal is to come out only qualify, but certification is gladly it’s packaged, it explains what it is, already given certification to medical with a new product every quarter, and given because it’s important for what’s and it gives them the dignity that they marijuana, he said. kosher was our product for October, Q1. needed in this new sector.” deserve for their health. They shouldn’t The Ottawa Vaad HaKashrut kosher The process went very well. It brought The Hydropothecary Corporation is feel bad that they have to take such a certification includes Decarb, the ready- many stakeholders to the table to meet an authorized licensed producer and thing. It’s like any other way of healing to-consume activated marijuana powder the new and stringent requirements of distributor of medical cannabis licensed themselves and relieving their pain.” October 9, 2017 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM 3 Our summer vacation with Irma out the entire hurricane. By 9 pm, the Ottawa Jewish wind and rain was so intense that it community members became unsafe to stay in the main part of our hotel room. Water was leaking Lyon and Cybele in the room and the sound and vibra- tions from debris hitting the walls of Hamburg were on the building was quite frightening. It sounded and felt like we were in a war vacation in the Turks zone and the pounding on the concrete and Caicos Islands walls reminded me of the vibrations one feels near a construction site when when Hurricane Irma the ground is being dynamited to blast struck on September 7.