Knowledgeable, Approachable ... it DOES make a difference! PLANT A TREE Ottawa Jazz Festival Jennifer Hartman Sales Representative FOR ALL OCCASIONS 613-882-7180 Six of Israel’s top musical acts [email protected] TREES $18 | TREE BANK $150 FOR 10 TREES [email protected] will perform concerts 613-798-2411 at the 2014 Ottawa Jazz Festival > p. 23 jenniferhartman.ca Ottawa Jewish Bulletin MAY 26, 2014 | 26 IYAR 5774 ESTABLISHED 1937 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM | $2 Mitchell Bellman: Former Federation CEO to receive community’s highest honour BY BENITA BAKER bears the name of the late Gilbert nominated Bellman for the award. “He In recognition of his passionate and Greenberg, a past president of the Jewish worked hard, long hours to help make longstanding commitment to Ottawa’s Community Council of Ottawa/Vaad the community work. He cared deeply for Jewish community, Mitchell Bellman will Ha’Ir (now the Jewish Federation of the community and oversaw many be the 2014 Gilbert Greenberg Ottawa), who exemplifi ed the qualities of signifi cant moves forward.” Distinguished Service Award recipient. leadership the award seeks to recognize During his tenure with the Federation, “I am incredibly honoured to be each year. Bellman worked with the community’s selected,” said Bellman. “It was a com- It is Bellman’s numerous accomplish- benefi ciary agencies to ensure their plete surprise. I am still surprised. The ments at the helm of the Ottawa Jewish needs were being addressed and was a past award recipients have had an community for 15 years, fi rst as executive catalyst within the community, inspiring incredible impact on our community and director of the Vaad and then as presi- the involvement and participation of I am really touched to be included as part dent and CEO of the restructured Jewish many, motivating and guiding the future of that group.” Federation of Ottawa, that are being leadership of the community. The Gilbert Greenberg Distinguished honoured with this award. His ability to work collaboratively with Service Award is the highest tribute “He served honourably as the leader of the numerous chairpersons, board Ottawa’s Jewish community can bestow the community and brought much- members and committees of the Mitchell Bellman, Gilbert Greenberg on an individual for exceptional service needed stability from the very begin- Federation, facilitated and enhanced the Distinguished Service Award over many years. Initiated in 1980, it ning,” said Rabbi Reuven P. Bulka, who See Bellman on page 12 Henry Molot: ‘I hope I have made a difference’ BY BENITA BAKER Jewish Historical Society, Young Israel Molot made his work with the Chevra Henry Molot has been selected to receive of Ottawa, Congregation Machzikei Kadisha a priority in his life, which the 2014 Shem Tov Community Volun- Hadas, Jewish Family Services and included organizing and leading the teer Award. The award recognizes an Yitzhak Rabin High School. He currently organization’s annual general meeting, outstanding and active volunteer within serves on the Ethics Committee of the its annual fast day services and the the Jewish community who, through Ottawa Hospital, is the assistant gabbai at annual banquet. He assumed the leader- many years of service, has contributed to Hillel Lodge and is a steadfast fundraiser ship of it in 2011. the enrichment of Jewish life in Ottawa. for the Jewish Federation of Ottawa’s “He has done great service in so many “A community could not survive Annual Campaign. ways in the community,” said Rabbi without its volunteers,” said Molot. His most enduring volunteer commit- Arnold Fine. “Certainly most recently “So, I guess I represent the hundreds ment has been to the Ottawa Chevra with the Chevra Kadisha, carefully of volunteers who are working to support Kadisha, which he joined 30 years ago. moving that august and very traditional and strengthen our community. This “I found the hands-on nature of the organization to view and accept different award has been given to me on behalf of work more gratifying than other volun- methods and regulations.” them.” teer activities,” he said. “Often, when you Born and raised in Ottawa, Molot grew PHOTO: HOWARD SANDLER Molot chaired the board of Hillel volunteer, you are raising money or up in the Glebe, where his father, a Henry Molot, Shem Tov Academy and sat on the boards of the making administrative decisions. This is pharmacist, owned a drug store. He Community Service Award Jewish National Fund, the Ottawa more immediate, more personal.” See Molot on page 12 Ottawa celebrates Jewish organizations watching Israeli Film Festival inside: Yom Ha’Atzmaut > p. 2 situation in Ukraine > p. 5 to feature four fi lms > p. 8 World Class Outsourcing ... and more! 613-744-6444 613-244-7225 Providing quality service 613-744-5767 613-244-4444 to the National Capital Region Publication Mail Agreement No. 40018822 since 1947! www.boydgroup.on.ca 2 May 26, 2014 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM Ottawa celebrates Yom Ha’Atzmaut with fl ag-raising and huge party BY MONIQUE ELLIOT In a bright and lighthearted Yom Ha’Atzmaut party, families from across Ottawa’s Jewish community danced, laughed and feasted on Israeli cuisine as they celebrated Israel’s 66th Independence Day, May 6, at the Hellenic Meeting and PHOTO: MICHAEL REGENSTREIF Reception Centre. The flags of Ontario, Israel and Canada flying at Marion Dewar Plaza in front of Ottawa City Hall on Yom Ha’Atzmaut. The organizing committee set up a variety of activities that allowed for children to be more involved in their own entertainment this year by creating a “Passport to Israel” that allowed them to learn about Israel and Israeli culture while making arts and crafts projects they could bring home. The family-oriented event, sponsored by PHOTO: MICHAEL REGENSTREIF the Soloway Jewish Community Centre, (From left) David Wollock and Sara Vered, the Vered Israel Cultural and Educational both of whom served in the Israel Defense Program and the Jewish Federation of Forces, and David Cohen of the Jewish War Ottawa, also included buskers, stilt-walk- Veterans of Canada, Ottawa Post, listen to ers, face painting and Israeli folk dancing O Canada and Hatikvah before raising the for the estimated 800 people in Israeli flag at Marion Dewar Plaza in front of attendance. Ottawa City Hall on Yom Ha’Atzmaut. “It’s become such a big party in the last few years because we’ve turned it into a hosted by Ambassador Barak and the celebration the way they celebrate in Embassy of Israel at the Fairmont Château Israel,” said event chair Penny Torontow. Laurier. The event was attended by “It’s really important that we show our members of Parliament, including cabinet connection and stay united with them,” ministers, foreign diplomats, Canadian she added. military offi cials and business and Jewish PHOTO: MONIQUE ELLIOT (From left) Volunteers Hailey Desormeaux, Jaclyn Friedlich and Arielle Kreisman hold Children’s crafts and activities organizer community leaders. the “Passports to Israel” activity booklets they gave to children participating in the Michael Regenstreif contributed to this Arielle Kreisman said she couldn’t be more Yom Ha’atzmaut celebration at the Hellenic Centre. excited to volunteer for one of the major report. events of the year, which took the supply teacher and her core volunteers about fi ve months to plan. “For me, I’ve gone to these events as a kid and, just coming back to the Ottawa Jewish community, I thought it was really important to get involved,” she said. Earlier in the day, about 200 people gathered in Marion Dewar Plaza at Ottawa City Hall to see the Israeli fl ag raised to fl y alongside the Canadian, Ontario and Ottawa fl ags on Yom Ha’Atzmaut. Speakers making brief remarks at the fl ag-raising included Mayor Jim Watson, Israeli Ambassador Rafael Barak and Rabbi Reuven P. Bulka. O Canada and Hatikvah were sung by Cantor Jeremy Burko and the MC was Federation CEO Andrea Freedman. PHOTO: MONIQUE ELLIOT) PHOTO: MICHAEL REGENSTREIF Yom Ha’Atzmaut was further cele- Two-year-old Elisheva Lavi waves her Israeli flag on the dance floor A stilt-walker outside the Hellenic Centre welcomes at the community Yom Ha’Atzmaut celebration at the Hellenic Centre. celebrants to the community Yom Ha’Atzmaut party. brated, May 13, at an elegant reception BULLETIN INDEX CANDLE LIGHTING BEFORE BULLETIN DEADLINES BOOK REVIEW 30 FOUNDATION 31, 32, 33, 34 MY ISRAEL 25 MAY30 8:21 PM JUNE 4 AFTER 9:29 PM JUNE 11 FOR JUNE 30 COMMENTARIES 6, 7 GARTEN PARTY 10 VALUES, ETHICS 29 SHAVUOT - 1st DAY JUNE 6 8:27 PM JULY 9 FOR JULY 28 EMERGING GEN 25 GUEST COLUMN 14 WHAT’S GOING ON 35 JUNE 3 8:25 PM JUNE 13 8:31 PM AUGUST 6 FOR AUGUST 25 FOCUS ON FITNESS 29 MAILBAG 15 YOM HAZIKARON 9 SHAVUOT - 2nd DAY JUNE 20 8:34 PM AUGUST 20 FOR SEPTEMBER 8 May 26, 2014 3 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM Tamara Fathi: ‘A huge honour to be recognized for something you love to do’ BY BENITA BAKER co-chaired telethon, I ran cards. When It is her role as co-founder of jnet, a Tamara Fathi is the recipient of the 2014 my mother went to a synagogue sister- grassroots organization aimed at bring- Freiman Family Young Leadership hood meeting, I went with her.” ing together young Jewish professionals Award. The award recognizes a person Fathi’s nomination for the award was and graduate students in Ottawa, that under the age of 40 who has contributed spearheaded by Sharon Diamond. she is most proud of. actively and has rendered exceptional “Tamara is not only the perfect “Ottawa is a transient town, with so service to Ottawa’s Jewish community.