Candle lighting time Friday is 7:46 p.m. Vol. 28 No. 14 WINNIPEG, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1, 2015 12 Days in Nissan, 5775 Shabbat ends at 8:44 p.m. Inside this issue of Mysterious B’nai Brith plaque surfaces after 63 years - mystery The Jewish Post & solved thanks to Stan Carbone…and a Jewish Post from 1952 News:

By BERNIE BELLAN Belle It began with an e-mail I received from Earl Jarniewski Barish on March 21. In the e-mail Barish working explained that Brenda Tessler-Donen, indefatiga- Executive Director of B’nai Brith Camp, had bly to keep memories of the received a fascinating phone call from an Holocaust alive architectural firm in Kenora earlier in March...... page 6 Here is what Brenda Tessler-Donen had writ- ten both to Earl Barish and Yude Henteleff: Hi Earl and Yude, 8 pages of reviews of various I received a call from Nelson Architect firm Limmud presenters, starting on in Kenora (they are working on the design for ...... page 8 the new Katan, that was destroyed last spring This plaque was found on the shore of Lake from the snow overload). They had told me of the Woods last August. It might have that in early September, an item had floated been submerged for over 60 years. up to their shoreline that they recognized Former Winnipegger Al Smiley belonging to BB Camp. They sent me a pho- Nelson at Nelson Architecture: was Bugsy Siegel’s right-hand tograph of it. What is interesting is that the Here is Nelson’s e-mail: man plaque is noted in 1952 and as you may recall, BB Camp did not start on Town Island Hi Brenda - here’s a photo of the plaque...... page 25 until 1954. Quite interesting that it is dated before the I had never seen this before – thought you camp officially began. It measures 3.25” x Dr. Neil Pollock pioneering new both might find this interesting. Yude, do you 2”, and was originally attached to a piece of have any recollection what this plaque was in pain-free circumcision tech- old wood, which we removed because it nique in 3rd world reference to? was rotten and waterlogged. Might have Regards, taken over 50 years to get from Town Island ...... page 27 Brenda to our beach! Attached to Tessler-Donen’s e-mail was a Patty Bill Marantz’s 1960 law picture of the plaque, along with a descrip- In response to Tessler-Donen’s query sent faculty graduating class tion of what the plaque looked like when it straight out of “Animal surfaced, from someone named Patrice Continued on next page. House” ...... page 33 Former Winnipeg Jewish Theatre Artistic Director Canada Post Publication Agreement #40047412 Michael Nathanson arrested at Manitoba border Was the WJT board asleep at the switch? Camp Massad holds fund-raising Why did it take the police so long to act? floor hockey tournament By BERNIE BELLAN those questions. in memory of Richard Tapper By the time you read this Meanwhile, rumours By BERNIE BELLAN there may have been more began swirling as to what When Richard information disclosed about had been going on at the Tapper passed circumstances surrounding WJT. It was alleged to us away three years the arrest of former WJT artis- that Nathanson’s embez- ago at the young tic director and general man- zlement had been brought age of 35, he left a ager Michael Nathanson, but to the board’s attention by void, not just in with the information that has the WJT’s associate artistic the Winnipeg been made publicly avail- director, Ivan Henwood Jewish communi- able, many questions remain (who, also, is no longer ty, but the entire to be answered. employed by the WJT). community, that According to news reports Further, it was alleged to can likely never that were disseminated by us that Nathanson had fled be filled. various media on Sunday, Winnipeg and was living In his short life, March 29 and Monday, Former WJT with a sister in Houston. Tapper touched The late Richard Tapper March 30, Nathanson was artistic director Henwood would likely the lives of so signing the Jewish arrested March 28 as he tried MICHAEL NATHANSON have been in a key position many. I, myself, Foundation’s Book of to enter into Manitoba at the Alleged to have embezzled to uncover Nathanson’s didn’t know Life in 2012. Emerson border crossing. $85,000 alleged embezzlement. I Richard well, but Nathanson, who had been recall speaking with him in looking back at articles that mentioned him fired by the board of the on several occasions when in past issues of The Jewish Post & News, I can Winnipeg Jewish Theatre in February, 2014, we had trouble obtaining payment from the see that he was one of those rare individuals (although the board has never publicly stated WJT for unpaid invoices. Henwood would who combined energy, intelligence, and a ded- that he was “fired”) has been charged with say to us that we would be paid - and we ication to serve the community, with a tremen- theft over $5,000 and forgery. Again, accord- would be paid. He certainly seemed to be dous professional skill as a chiropractor. ing to reports, Nathanson is alleged to have in a position where he would have been (Interestingly, one of the first articles to mention embezzled $85,000 from the theatre. aware of the WJT’s true financial situation. Richard was written by well-known actor and When the story of the WJT’s troubles first filmmaker Jonas Chernick, who covered the broke in February last year, we attempted to According to news sources, a warrant floor hockey beat for us circa 1995. Harvey ascertain from a board spokesman what was was issued for Nathanson’s arrest in Rosen also wrote about Richard’s prowess on going on. Was Nathanson fired, we asked? January of this year. Why did it take 11 the basketball court.) Was the theatre in dire financial straits due to months for a warrant to be issued? Those first articles that mention Richard have declining attendance over the years? Why In an e-mail sent to the Winnipeg Police to do with his student years at Joseph Wolinsky was the final show of the 2014 season, Force Monday morning, March 30, I asked: Collegiate, when he was a star basketball play- “Shiksa”, cancelled without any prior notice “While I realize that you probably can’t er with the team, the Raiders (wearing number given to the playwright, the actors, or anyone comment on any specific aspect of the 00), as well as a very talented floor hockey else involved in that show? investigation, I have to wonder: It was only Continued on page 3. See “Richard Tapper”. We never did receive answers to any of Continued on next page. 2 THE JEWISH POST & NEWS, Wednesday, April 1, 2015 Community news

Continued from previous page. provide effective oversight is limited by the accuracy of the informa- tion that they are given by administrators. But, if members of the board $85,000. We’re not talking about don’t ask tough questions of those administrators, then it’s not all that Enron here, yet it seems to have difficult to keep board members in the dark. taken 10 months for the WPS to Yet, the fact that the board of the Winnipeg Jewish Theatre has been issue a warrant for Michael’s so consistently close-mouthed as to what had been going on there has arrest. I wonder whether Ivan inevitably led to a severe lack of confidence in that board’s ability to Henwood couldn’t have been function adequately. Now we are told by a spokesperson for the board able to piece it all together for that no comment regarding Nathanson’s arrest will be forthcoming as you in a couple of days.” the matter is “before the courts”. Well, since no one on the board has I received the following issued any public comment lo these past 13 months, what difference response from Jason does it make that it’s now “before the courts”? Michalyshen of the WPS: “I can We certainly wish the WJT well as it attempts to pull itself out of this tell you that the WPS first quagmire, but one wonders whether the continued refusal by the board became involved in this investi- or anyone else associated with the WJT to discuss the exact nature of its gation in May 2014. Over the IVAN HENWOOD former asso- financial predicament will serve the WJT well in the long run. Perhaps next several months documenta- ciate artistic director of the WJT. now is the time to come clean about what the WJT board knew, when tion was provided to investiga- Is he the one who blew the it knew it, and what exactly is the financial situation of the WJT? tors by the theatre. Mr. whistle on Michael Nathanson? Nathanson was arrestable some- time in the fall based on a lengthy, time consuming investigation, however he could not be located and was believed to have fled to One of a kind Kaufman Silverberg Library Texas. receives international accreditation “Investigators were optimistic that he would return to Winnipeg at By MYRON LOVE some point due to family connections and a warrant was eventually The Kaufman submitted. Silverberg Library at the “If you have questions as to why it took so long to provide investi- Asper Campus has just gators with the required information, I suggest you contact the theatre. been recognized for the It is our opinion that the theatre group did there (sic.) due diligence first time by the and were very supportive and helpful throughout. Association of Jewish “The fact that, as you put it, ‘it was only $85,000.00’ is irrelevant as Libraries as an accredited to the amount of work required. The amount of money stolen does not member. necessarily dictate how long an investigation might take.” “We received notifica- I responded to Constable Michalyshen: “Thanks for your reply._ As tion at the beginning of for locating Michael - did you speak to ...? ... told me last spring that March that we had been Michael was living with his sister in Houston.” (Name withheld to pro- awarded Basic tect the privacy of the individual.) Accreditation by the Constable Michalyshen responded: “We were fully aware of where Librarians JANET GOULD (left) and AJL,” says Kaufman ANA ESTERIN. he was. (emphasis mine). If he had not made his way back to Silverberg Library head Winnipeg soon other investigative techniques would have been used librarian Ana Esterin, who will be going to Washington in June to to arrest him in the U.S.” represent her library at the AJL AGM and accept the official certifi- I responded: “But in your previous e-mail you just wrote: ‘however cate of accreditation. he could not be located and was believed to have fled to Texas’. “Accreditation gives us credibility,” Esterin reports. “Qualifying for “So, did you know where he was or not?” accreditation was a three month process. Our application first had to It doesn’t inspire much confidence in the WPS’s investigative abili- reviewed and vetted, then recommended to committee for final ties, does it? approval. We had to meet standards involving programming, staffing and collection development. Our policies and procedures and all Finally, with all due respect to the WJT board, as my experience in aspects of our operation exposing the incompetence of the Crocus Fund board over 13 years were closely examined.” Continued on page 20. See “Library”. ago proved to me back then, the ability of any board of directors to

Continued from previous page. maybe your memory will recall this) and somewhere in time, the plaque ended up in the lake, floating around LOTW for many, many to Barish and Henteleff, Yude Henteleff wrote: years until it reached the property of Nelson Architects. I will ensure that the plaque, along with the article is taken to Camp HI Brenda , It isn’t familiar to me at all . this spring and secured in a safe spot for public viewing. What a won- There was as you know a BB Summer Camp for many years just derful find! beyond Winnipeg Beach , and which received active support from BB Regards, Lodges ,and the plaque may have been presented to that camp to Brenda mark an occasion You should ask Bnai Brith. They may have records of this particular I was fascinated by this story and determined to find the article that Lodge’s activities. That plaque, which clearly was kept after the old Stan Carbone had found in a 1952 issue of The Jewish Post. I should camp was disposed of, may have been presented to the new camp at explain that our entire archive is accessible online on our website: Town Island to commemorate some new occasion. jewishpostandnews.ca. It’s not always easy to find what you’re look- You might also contact Dee Buchwald. Harold may have had some ing for though. I tried searching for “Manitoba Lodge 1616” and record of this. “B’nai Brith” - all to no avail. Then, I entered “July 24, 1952” and Let me know how this turns out, You might also write a note to the finally, I found the article in question: Jewish Post asking for help to solve this mystery. Here it is: Most interesting, Manitoba Lodge Presents Boats to BB Camp Yude One of the most entertaining events of the summer social season will take place at the B’nai Brith Summer Camp this Sunday after- In short order, however, Stan Carbone, head curator of the Jewish noon, July 27, when members of Manitoba Lodge No. 1616 and all Heritage Centre, was able to solve the mystery of the re-surfaced members of B’nai Brith and their guests will convene to see a display plaque. On March 24, Brenda Tessler-Donen wrote: of water events, sports and games. The event will mark the occasion of the official presentation by Good Morning, B’nai Brith Manitoba Lodge No. 1616 of two new boats to the camp. I took the plaque to the Jewish Heritage and within a few minutes As this day will coincide with “Visitors Day”, the presentation will Stan Carbone, its ED found an article in The Jewish Post – July 24, take place at 5:30 p.m. at the camp. A large turnout is expected. 1952 regarding the Manitoba Lodge presenting two boats to BB Camp. Given the date, this ceremony took place in Sandy Hook and There you have it - a mysterious plaque resurfaces 62 years after it subsequently the boats were moved to Town Island in ’54. I am pre- was dedicated. But how did it end up at the bottom of Lake of the suming the plaque was erected either onto one of the boats or onto Woods in the first place? Anyone who might have any more infor- a wooden plaque that was placed near the waterfront area (Syd – mation about this long-lost plaque can contact Brenda Tessler-Donen - or The Jewish Post & News. Wednesday, April 1, 2015, THE JEWISH POST & NEWS 3 Community news

The more than 80 individuals who par- ticipated in Camp Massad’s floor hock- ey tournatment dedicated to the mem- ory of Richard Tapper on March 22 at the Rady JCC player at Richard Tapper the old Continued from page 1. Y.M.H.A. In addi- tion, Richard was an important member of the Camp Massad staff – under the then-direction of Jason Marantz (who is the subject of two other articles in this Richard Tapper’s number issue). Later, as a conscientious chiro- that he wore as a mem- practor – as well as a successful busi- ber of the Joseph nessman, Richard endeared himself to Wolinsky Collegiate bas- his patients. As noted in his obituary, ketball team. It has now “He loved being a Chiropractor, and he been retired. loved educating family, friends, and patients about health and well- ness. At the end of every adjustment, Richard would send his patients off with his inspir- ing words, ‘the power is on’.” In 2012 Richard became the youngest-ever individual to sign the Jewish Foundation’s Book of Life. It was at that event that I had the opportuni- Richard Tapper’s wife, Lauren, with her four- ty to spend some year-old son, Gabriel, and former Winnipeg Blue time talking with Bomber Obbie Kahn, at the tournament March Richard about 22. (Kahn was a close friend of Richard’s.) what had led him to make a commitment of that sort at such a young age and I, too, was inspired by his idealism. Who would have thought then that, just three months later, Richard would be diagnosed with terminal cancer and, only four and a half months later, would be gone from us? The tributes to Richard Tapper have flown in ever since his tragic death and on March 22, Camp Massad fashioned a most original way of commemorating Richard’s memory. The occasion was the first-ever “Richard Tapper Memorial Floor Hockey Tournament”, in which over 100 men of varying ages participated, both in Winnipeg and Toronto (where a tournament was held at exactly the same time to coincide with the Winnipeg one). As Danial Sprintz, Executive Director of Camp Massad, noted in his introductory remarks to the players before the tournament began: “Richard put his heart and soul into everything he did. He would come out to the camp every summer and help out. He eventually cre- ated a program called “machshirah” – it helps the camp staff become better leaders.” The money raised by the floor hockey tournament, Sprintz explained, would go towards building a cabin to be called “Mercaz Tapper”. Sprintz went on to say that “Richard was a big philanthropist in the community. It’s nice to see that over 200 people gave money to this campaign in order to raise money to build the cabin with Richard’s name on it.” Sprintz concluded by inviting everyone to come out to Camp Massad on June 28 when “Mercaz Tapper” will be officially dedicated. 4 THE JEWISH POST & NEWS, Wednesday, April 1, 2015 Editorial/comment

Short Takes The results of the Israeli election came as a So that leaves Barack Obama - who is demonized on so many pro- bitter disappointment to me. I didn’t really Israel websites. Much of the venom directed against him seems to have know very much about Zionist Union co- a racist tinge as well, what with the constant references to his name: By leader Isaac Herzog but, to think that this Barrack “Hussein” Obama, and concomitantly, suggestions that he is, apparently ineffectual politician presented the in fact a Muslim. best chance for unseating BB Netanyahu did- The reality, however, is that the level of American aid for Israel has n’t promise much hope for those among us never been higher than during both Obama terms. While Secretary of BERNIE BELLAN who were hoping to see an end to Likud-dom- State Kerry may have been naive in thinking that he could be any more inated coalitions. successful in facilitating negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians Then, when Netanyahu unleashed a series of statements shortly that would lead to the creation of a Palestinian state than any other before election day meant to play to the worst fears of many Israelis – diplomat, is he to be faulted for going further than any other American and those statements seemed to prove decisive in his coming from official had ever attempted to go? behind to win 30 seats in the Knesset – well, it just seemed to confirm That leads us to Iran and Netanyahu’s utter contempt for Obama’s all those analyses that Israel was moving ever further to the right. wanting to achieve a deal with the Iranians. I’ve remarked to many of What really seemed to turn the tide though, is the overt dislike most the Obama critics out there when I’ve had a chance to engage them Israelis have for President Obama – and what has been described as that “the enemy of good is perfect”. Netanyahu will not accept any- American “meddling” in the most recent election. thing in the way of a deal that, in his view, is less than perfect, which “Meddling”? What do you call the Republicans’ crass ploy to involve means the complete denuclearization of Iran - something that is sim- Netanyahu in domestic American politics in a way that we’ve never ply not on the table. seen a foreign leader involved before? And, when it comes to But what if there is no deal - and Iran instead decides to return to a Americans involving themselves in domestic Israeli politics, American full-fledged effort to develop a nuclear weapon? Will Netanyahu want politicos have been active in running Likud campaigns for years. the U.S. to join Israel in attacking Iran? No doubt that is his hope. And Okay, so we know Netanyahu loves to create bogeymen for Israelis what of the “blowback” that can be expected from such an initiative? –either to fear or hate, in order to remain in power: Iranians; Arabs – Nothing could do more to unite the Muslim world than an attack on especially Palestinians; and most recently, Barack Obama. Iran. We’ve already seen the unexpected consequences of America’s Let’s examine, for the moment, just what are some of the conse- two wars in response to 9-11. While the war in Afghanistan seems to quences of Netanyahu’s triumph at the polls: Increased isolation in the have spilled over only into Pakistan, the war in Iraq has led to the world community and an even further deterioration in U.S.-Israel rela- destabilization of the entire Middle East and the resultant rise of ter- tions. rorist groups that have overtaken Al Qasida as the most dangerous ter- rorist groups in the world. Add to that the almost total certainty that an What I find particularly difficult to accept is the absolute opprobrium attack on Iran would only delay that country’s development of a attached to President Obama by so many Jews, both within and out- nuclear weapon by a couple of years. side Israel. It seems that many Jews have very short memories, if they In Netanyahu’s worldwide Israel stands alone - and Jews everywhere think that Obama is the worst president Israelis have had to deal with. are in danger. The problem is that it is Netanyahu himself who has led At various times during the history of Israel American presidents have to the isolation of Israel. either been loath to provide assistance to Israel or have been furious at What is even more disturbing about his recent election victory is what they regarded as Israeli intransigence in dealing with the that, once again, ultraOrthodox parties will find themselves in govern- Palestinians. While both Presidents Johnson and Nixon came to Israel’s ment - this after a brief respite from having “Charedi” parties dictate to assistance with massive arms shipments, and Nixon’s decision to the vast majority of Israelis on issues of morality and, even more resupply Israel when that nation’s very existence was in doubt during important - education. the Yom Kippur War proved decisive in Israel eventually turning the tide in 1973, Nixon’s National Security Adviser (later Secretary of State) The truth is that most North American Jews, notwithstanding the Henry Kissinger, opposed the rearming of Israel until Israel’s fate was chatter heard over the internet, are consistently liberal in their attitudes almost sealed. on morality and education. Further, most North American Jews - espe- President Ford halted arms shipments to Israel for a time in 1975, cially American Jews, are fully in favour of Israeli withdrawal from the while Jimmy Carter has been consistently labeled as anti-Israel, if not occupied territories (according to almost every poll that has been taken outright anti-Semitic for advocating so arduously on behalf of on the subject). In this regard, most American Jews are actually in sync Palestinians. with President Obama’s policies vis-a-vis Israel and the Palestinians - While Ronald as well as his policies regarding Iran. Reagan has been gen- The schism that Netanyahu has created between Israel and the erally regarded as one United States now extends to a schism between Israel and most of the most pro-Israel American Jews. Where does that leave those among us who still hold presidents, there were such a special place in our hearts for Israel? Published every second Wednesday. We acknowledge the financial support of the tensions during his Recently I read a piece written by a student at U.C.L.A. who had Government of Canada through the Canada tenure as President as been active in leading the fight against the BDS movement. That stu- Periodical Fund (CPF) for our publishing well, especially over dent now said that, given the results of the Israeli election, he no longer activities. the conviction and had the stomach to engage in that fight, and was acceptant of the fact Subscriptions in Canada jailing of Jonathan that BDS proponents were going to gain the upper hand at U.C.L.A. $43.67 per year Pollard. How can young Jews be expected to carry the fight for Israel when Subscriptions outside Canada $100.00 per year in As for Bill Clinton, Israel is seen as increasingly intransigent, led by a prime minister who Cdn. funds or $75.00 per year in U.S. funds. Member of Jewish Telegraphic Agency, New York. while he did broker is capable of resorting to ugly canards in order to win at the polls - not The Jewish Post & News is not responsible for the the Camp David to mention completely abandoning his previously-made promise to kashrut of any products or establishments advertised Accords, his disdain recognize a Palestinian state? or publicized in this newspaper, or in inserts included for BB Netanyahu No - it’s not President Obama we have to blame for the deterioration in this newspaper. Opinions expressed in letters to the when Netanyahu was in Israeli-American relations. It’s the prime minister of Israel himself - editor, or articles by contributing writers are not nec- essarily endorsed by The Jewish Post & News. prime minister in the and the Israeli electorate, which has once again shown that it has 1990s has become become much more right-wing than it had been in the past. well known since Still, those among us who remain committed to supporting Israel will The Jewish Post Ltd. Bernie Bellan Publisher Editor Clinton left office. continue to do so - but we will be even more overt in wanting to dis- George W. Bush, tinguish between support for Israel and support for Israeli government Directors while generally main- policies. That might make it more difficult for some of our community Bernie Bellan taining good relations leaders, but we are past the point where we have to offer uncondi- Office at with Israeli Prime tional support for Israel no matter what the circumstances. Myron Love 11-395 Berry St. Reuben Potash Wpg. MB. R3J 1N6 Ministers Sharon, Olmert and In the interest of fairness, however, we offer a completely different Publications Netanyahu, also take on the Obama-Netanyahu relationship on page 47 of this issue. Agreement played a key role in No. 40047412 Please send all mail the “Roadmap” initia- In the meantime, I’d like to wish all our readers a very happy to above address Phone: 694-3332 tive, a key part of Passover. By the way, I was fascinated to learn that Moshe Rabeinu and Postage paid at Fax: 694-3916 which would have Harry Potter are both cut from the same cloth. Read how in my story Winnipeg E-mail: involved Israeli with- about Jason Marantz’s fascinating presentation given at Limmud about ISSN 0836-6063 [email protected] drawal from occupied “the only Jew at Hogwarts” on page 12 of this issue. territories. Wednesday, April 1, 2015, THE JEWISH POST & NEWS 5 Comment

Election Day fun

By BRUCE BROWN, Rehovot, Israel mortgage you have, but also how well Once again Election Day has come and you get along with your mother-in-law gone and the world continues to spin; albeit and who you vote for. We are a very slightly more rightward for Israel. open and argumentative society so vot- I went to sleep the night before a bit more ing preferences are common water cool- excited – I love the hoopla of an Israeli er and Friday night dinner table talk. Election Day - and a bit more apprehensive Anyway, by mid-morning my wife, – I was still not sure who to vote for - than daughter and I – and even our dog - went usual. to visit my son and to vote. With our Election Day in Israel is a holiday and we identity cards and a falafel in hand – a had a fun day ahead of us. My son was set not unusual text message arrived from to participate in our democratic process. My my son a few minutes before we left the wife and I were set to vote - well, almost, as house: “I’m hungry” - off we went to the I was still undecided. We had a family lunch polling station. date with friends. And then I was looking It was more crowded than usual and forward to watching the exit polls at home. we actually had to wait in line – or what My son – still too young to vote but not too Bruce Brown with his family counts for a line in Israel - to reach the young to hold an opinion - was manning a (From l-r): Miriam, Ronit, Dor, and Bruce ballot box. My wife confidently cast her party booth outside the local polling station. Photo taken by Bernie Bellan Aug., 2014, in Rehovot, Israel vote. And I – in a last-minute decision Dressed in a party hat and t-shirt and armed )no doubt influenced by a quick chat with multi-colored brochures he was out of with a party faithful just outside) - cast the house by 7:00 AM. -s urprising, because we can barely get him out my lot for a pure centrist party. Okay - there were two of them, but of the house on a school day, which starts an hour later! being a good Canadian I will keep my specific choice secret. As opposed to the sterile polling environment of Canada, Israel’s Afterwards, we drove to Tel Aviv where we met friends at an excel- polling stations are last minute electioneering grounds. Every party has lent Persian restaurant - an appropriate choice given some of the elec- a booth with party hacks or students-for hire (such as my son) vying tion issues. For sure the talk was about the elections but also about for last minute votes. And multiple cars covered with party posters and other things just as in any normal country. And Israel, in its own spe- carrying huge loudspeakers on their roofs compete for sound waves by cial way, is a normal country…even on Election Day. blaring political jingles - a classic Israeli ‘balagan’. Towards mid-evening I popped my microwavable popcorn and But lots of fun and a great place to catch up with neighbours and relaxed in front of the TV to watch the exit polls. Since it appeared to friends to debate Iran, the religious, the economy, last summer’s war be a virtual tie I went to sleep around 11:00 PM believing a national and who to vote for and who not to vote for. unity government was inevitable. True to form for Israel - where the I think the last time I voted in Canada was in the 1998 election when unexpected should be expected - I woke up the next morning to a I cast my vote for Brian Mulroney. Oops - should I have written that? strong right wing lead, with the overwhelming likelihood of another In Israel everyone knows not only what you earn and how large a four years of Netanyahu rule - with a strong tilt to the religious right. Good? Bad? With Election Day come and gone one thing is clear. LETTERS The Israeli beat goes on. Former Winnipegger Phil Reiss Re: today’s paper’s short takes offers a suggestion to Moshe Kahalon, Bernie, in regards to your comment about Adam Bronstone stating “that 20% of the Jewish Population are below the poverty level” and leader of Israel’s Kulanu party your skepticism with regards to this comment, I must attest to this as being true. Dear Mr. Kahlon, I am one of the senior persons who is living below the poverty Mazal tov on your party’s strong showing level. Thanks to the kindness of some family members who help me By in Tuesday’s election. out periodically with some financial assistance, and with the help of With coalition talks now under way, you various community programs, both within the Jewish Community must be feeling an acute need for advice and the Community in general has made a tremendous difference to from American biostatisticians such as my situation. However there is one factor which can use improve- myself. You may be quite busy, however; so ment and that would be providing transportation to seniors to attend PHIL REISS rather than waiting for you to contact me, synagogue and other community events. A lot of people my age I’ve decided to take the initiative and reach don’t drive any longer, and transportation can be a real barrier to out to you through my blog. attending community functions. I called all the synagogues in I’ll be brief. Mr. Netanyahu has already offered you the position of Winnipeg and asked if they would have volunteers to come and finance minister. My advice is to hold out for an additional key cab- pick up seniors so they could attend services and all of them replied inet post: newly elected Kulanu MK Michael Oren as foreign minis- they have nothing like that in place. I asked if they even had bud- ter. gets for taxi chits so that once again seniors can attend services and An audacious request, certainly. But consider: synagogue activities, again they replied that there was no such pro- • Israel’s current diplomatic isolation, and the sad state of its rela- gram. I think that this is a sad state of affairs when people cannot go tions with its most important ally, are due in part to not having had 10 or 20 minutes out of their way to do a mitzvah. We do not live an effective foreign minister for years. in New York or Los Angeles where distances create such tremendous • Oren, who has earned acclaim both as a historian of the Middle barriers. East and as Israel’s ambassador to the United States, is clearly the Ricki Segal person best qualified to repair Israel’s international relations in gen- eral and the Israel-U.S. dynamic in particular. • Without Kulanu, Mr. Netanyahu doesn’t have a majority. Support for Eritrean refugees also received from The case is airtight! Sholem Aleichem community Philip Reiss is an Associate Professor of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry and Population Health at New York University School of Dear Bernie, Medicine. Thank you for publishing the article about my and my daughter's Originally published on the Times of Israel website efforts on behalf of Eritrean refugees. I just wanted to point out that in addition to the support that I have received from friends, acquaintances and the Asper Foundation, I also have received Correction tremendous financial support from members of the local Sholem An ad for the Grant Park Co-op store in our March 18 issue indi- Aleichem community. I am grateful to everyone who has con- cated that the store carries kosher meats. tributed to this cause, and hope that other community members and Apparently after that issue was published Grant Park Co-op agencies come forward to support my initiative, or other efforts on decided not to carry kosher meats any longer. behalf of the millions of refugees worldwide. The store wishes to applogize to any customers who may have Sincerely, been inconvenienced thinking that the store still carried kosher Sharon Chisvin meats. 6 THE JEWISH POST & NEWS, Wednesday, April 1, 2015 Myron Love

Belle Jarniewski community leader in Holocaust education, interfaith dialogue

AROUND TOWN Within the past five years or so, Belle highlighting the Jarniewski has arguably become the face of efforts of Albanian Holocaust education and outreach in our com- Muslims to save By munity. Jewish lives in the The daughter of Holocaust survivors Samuel Shoah. and Sylvia Jarniewski, Belle is the current She is also respon- chair of the Freeman Family Foundation sible for organizing MYRON LOVE Holocaust Education Centre. In that capacity, the Holocaust she was instrumental in bringing the recent Education Centre’s Lodz Ghetto photo exhibit here, a travelling annual high school exhibit featuring symposium at the photos and stories University of of 22 prisoners of Winnipeg (May 12 Dachau. (The exhib- this year and featur- it was also brought ing child Holocaust here in partnership survivor Edith Kuper with the Polish from Montreal). community to As well, Jarniewski Westminster United also organizes (with Church in 2012.) Bill Weissmann) the Our community annual Megillot will be able to view Hashoah reading at a travelling exhibit the Shaarey Zedek from Yad Vashem (on Sunday, April 12) as part of Shoah Week here. BELLE JARNIEWSKI: “It was encouraging to In addition to local Musical tribute to war-time heroines hear – despite media reports – that efforts to keep the Holocaust education in many European memory of the The book Songs of the Ghetto was inspired by the story of Ilse countries is thriving.” Shoah alive, Weber, a poet and musician who cared for Jewish children in hos- Jarniewski is one of pital in Theresienstadt and sang to them on her rounds as a night the Canadian repre- nurse. When the children were deported to Auschwitz, Ilse vol- sentatives to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance untarily went with them and sang a lullaby, Wiegala, as they went (IHRA). She attended the IHRA plenary session in Manchester in to the gas chamber. December. Many other brave women sacrificed their lives in selfless acts of “There were scholars from all over the world at the plenary,” she bravery. We felt these extraordinary deeds should be honoured. says. “It was encouraging to hear – despite media reports – that The result is Songs of the Ghetto, compiled by Loa Henry, a col- Holocaust education in many European countries is thriving. In lection of music and biographies of selected women of courage Poland, for example, we learned that Holocaust education is spread and valour from World War II, which forms the basis for the 2015 across several different grades.” commemoration of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. She also reports that the Vatican for the first time is opening its Holocaust archives and will be sending a representative to IHRA. The remarkable thing about Belle Jarniewski is that she has come somewhat later in life to a life of community leadership and activism. 0$ )!2 (&%&"W(%'' Jarniewski lived in France for a few years, taught French for a short
 time and worked as a translator for many years. Her introduction to community work began with an invitation in (%"#" #%##0$ )3 2007 by the late Joe Riesen, at the time chair of the community’s Holocaust Awareness Committee, to transcribe to CD the memories of &H8I8EP4 some Winnipeg Holocaust survivors that were written down about ten years previously and were sitting in the archives. “After putting the survivors’ words on CD, Joe approached me about 24HI4SA8PPF#8DFHB4C turning the project into a book,” she recalls. “He felt that the stories in book form would be more accessible to a wider public. I had never (FE@IF9PA8A8PPF written a book before, but I plunged ahead. “We had a lot of pictures but needed more written material for the 2FD8EF9FQH4@84E714CFQH book. We contacted as many Holocaust survivors in Winnipeg as we were aware of and conducted further interviews.”     % % !   The result was “Voice of Winnipeg Holocaust Survivors”, the !   !     "#   accounts of 73 survivors. The book was launched on April 15, 2010,      #"!  !!  and proved to be a huge success. The provincial government put a #  " !#  # # #      ! copy of the book in every school in Manitoba and, Jarniewsky dis-   ##      $   covered to her great surprise, copies of the book have found their way into university libraries throughout the United States and Europe.    # # #      "   Jarniewski’s outreach efforts as part of her Holocaust Education $!  !   "   %    # #  Committee duties have led her naturally to interfaith work. She is a       !# &$#     member of the Manitoba Interfaith Council (long led by Sandy    ! Hyman) where she is currently vice president. She is also a member of the Interfaith Round Table. #FE74T(GHBC*+(,-*. The interfaith group, she notes, recently held its second annual lead- ership breakfast. The featured speaker was Rabbi Shaul Osadchey +-G1D1 from Calgary. 4P Despite her already busy schedule, Jarniewski has taken on a new PUA4TBD(TE4@F@Q8 challenge. She is currently enrolled in a Masters program in Theology *,+#4PA8IFER8EQ84IP at the University of Winnipeg (where she was also involved in the uni- versity’s annual Middle East Week – the university’s successful and balanced response to Israel Apartheid Week.) She expects to finish her course work by the end of the year and then begin working on her the- 7DBIIBFEBI9H88 sis on Jewish identity in Canada. FH9QHPA8HBE9FHD4PBFEVGC84I86FEP46P Asked about her thoughts on becoming so involved in community FH4'FI8E54QDV++9+:: at this point in her life, she responds that she regrets that she didn’t start sooner. Wednesday, April 1, 2015, THE JEWISH POST & NEWS 7 Community/Israel news

P2G Israel trip makes strong impression on Gray Academy participants By MYRON LOVE Two weeks in Israel in late February and early March, compliments of the P2G (Partnership Together) pro- gram, has left a strong impres- sion on the nine Gray Academy Grade 10 and 11 students who participat- P2G delegation at the Kotel ed in the expe- rience. ”P2G gave us the opportunity to develop a strong connection with Jews P2G delegation with their new Israeli friends our age living similar lifestyles halfway across the world,” says Cari Slayen. from Danciger High School in Kiryat Shemona This connection made the trip a unique and memorable experience and impacted my personal connection to Israel” ”P2G was such an amazing experience, and the friendships I made will last forever,” adds Bina Rubin. “Before we left Kiryat Shmonah, I called my parents and told them to book my flights because I want to go back in the summer.” Shaked Karabelnicoff agrees that P2G was a very unique experience. “You are fully immersed and feel completely part of an Israeli family,” she says. “You eat Israeli food, listen to Israeli music and go to an Israeli school. Essentially, for two weeks, you live like an Israeli.” Gray Academy teacher Avi Posen, a P2G alumnus himself, who now coordinates P2G in the school and led the trip this time, observes that the most powerful aspect of P2G is that the experience provides the students with a personal connection to Israel. “Since the inception of the program, nearly every participant in P2G has returned to Israel after graduation” he points out. “Many have gone to university in Israel, have made aliyah and volunteered or served in the IDF.” “And most of the others become involved in our Winnipeg Jewish com- munity.” He adds that many other communities look to the Gray Academy pro- gram as a model of what they can do. P2G delegation meets up with P2G alumni now Last fall, P2G celebrated its 18th anniversary. Originally called P2K living in Israel on Ben Yehuda St. in Jerusalem (Partnership 2000), the program’s concept was to link Jewish schools and students in major Canadian cities (other than Toronto and Montreal) with schools and students in different parts of Israel. Thus, the Gray Academy is paired with Danciger High school in Kiryat Shemona in northern Israel. Once a year, a group of Gray Academy students visit Danciger and Kiryat Shemona and, once a year. Danciger students come here. As well, Gray Academy’s elementary school is twinned with Nachshonei Hachula elementary school in Yesod Hamala in the Hula Valley, also in Northern Israel, while Brock Corydon School ( home to the Hebrew bilingual program) is partnered with Ramat Korazim elementary school, which is just north of Lake Kinneret. At the same time that the Gray Academy group was in Kiryat Shemona, Gray Academy teacher Silvina Mohadeb was visiting Nachshonei Hachula as part of a teacher exchange program ,leading programs and workshops connecting the two schools and communities. Posen notes that the group of Gray Academy students who went on this trip (including Federico Biderman, Josh Muyal, Jacqui Cohen, Brooke Lieberman, Michelle Marchtein and Liat Stitz, in addition to Shaked Karabelnicoff, Cari Slayen, and Bina Rubin) was one of the largest dele- gations to date from the school. Among the highlights of the visit,, Posen notes, were a visit to a seniors’ home in Kiryat Shemona (where the students presented the home with a mixer, which they had bought with funds they raised before the trip); a stop at an army base, where the visitors presented PVRs to the soldiers so that they can watch TV during their down time; experiencing a music fes- tival in Jerusalem’s Old City; touring northern Israel; and seeing how Purim is celebrated in Israel. “The kids were amazed to see a citywide Purim parade,” he says. On their last night in Kiryat Shemona, Posen says, the Danciger school community hosted a farewell party attended by the host families and large student council. Each of the Gray Academy students gave a speech in Hebrew. “It was an emotional evening,” Posen says. On their last night in Jerusalem, the Gray Academy students had a reunion with recent Gray Academy P2G alumni of the past two years cur- rently living in Israel. “We sent out an email inviting them to meet us on Ben Yehuda Street in Jerusalem,” Posen says. “They all came even though only one of them lives in Jerusalem. They explained the impact that P2G had on them and what they’re doing in Israel now.” 8 THE JEWISH POST & NEWS, Wednesday, April 1, 2015 Limmud

Much-in-demand educator – and former Winnipegger – Jason Marantz, delivers two spellbinding talks at Limmud on Jewish education

By BERNIE BELLAN Throughout his two talks Jason Marantz In our March 4 issue I previewed Jason stuck to his theme that, in order to continue Marantz’s upcoming talks at this year’s to attract and retain students within a Jewish Limmud, held March 14 and 15 at the Gray school system, we need to shed many of the Academy. old ideas that may have held sway for years, In my article then I noted that “Jason has but have become increasingly irrelevant as fashioned quite a career as an educator. He younger parents find themselves less interest- has been Headteacher (principal) at a London ed in supporting Jewish schools for their own Jewish primary school and is currently Chief sake. Executive of the London School of Jewish Studies.” Here is a review of what Marantz had to Now 40 years old, Marantz exudes the kind say: of honest enjoyment of life that made him an He began his morning lecture about the extremely popular figure, especially among future of Jewish education by providing an Jewish youth, for the many years that he overview of the current situation as it exists served both as a Y.M.H.A. and Camp Massad with respect to Jewish schools in England. counselor; the director of Camp Massad; and “There are over 100 Jewish schools in finally, a teacher at Margaret Park School in England,” Marantz noted. (According to the the Hebrew Bilingual Program. 2011 English census, there are 263,000 Jews His decision to go to England for what he in England, of whom approximately two- thought would be a one-year term as a thirds live in the London area.) teacher in 1999, however, subsequently Almost as astounding as the number of translated into Marantz’s decision to establish schools, moreover, is the percentage of ele- roots in that county and become one of the mentary school-age children who are Jewish most sought-after educators in the field of and who receive some form of Jewish educa- Jewish education, not only in England, but JASON MARANTZ: “Jewish education can- tion in London. According to Marantz, that other countries in Europe as well. not feel like an extra or poorer cousin” to figure is “70 percent”. By way of comparison, Attendees at Marantz’s two sessions at secular studies. here are the comparable figures for Toronto, Limmud were treated to the kind of exuber- which has a Jewish population over 200,000: ant creativity that he displayed as a youth in Winnipeg, but this time “According to Daniel Held, executive director of UJA Federation’s his message was of great immediate significance when it comes to Julia and Henry Koschitzky Centre for Jewish Education, about 32 per understanding the challenges facing Jewish education. cent of school-aged children in the Jewish community attend day The titles of Marantz’s two presentations were, respectively: schools in Toronto.” (Canadian Jewish News article by Paul Lungen – “Keeping it Real: The Future of Jewish Education” and “The Only Jew another former Winnipegger, Sept. 2, 2014). in Hogwarts”. Lest you think that the second session was entirely friv- (My own analysis of enrolments in the various Winnipeg education- olous, I actually found it to be amazingly powerful, as Marantz al institutions that offer some sort of Jewish education determined that demonstrated how it is possible to combine the teaching of what, at we’re actually doing a pretty good job here in Winnipeg of attracting first glance, would seem to be a secular subject - in this case, the Jewish students to one or another of the schools that provide some Harry Potter story, with overtly Jewish themes. I found myself so form of Jewish education. According to Rory Paul, Head of School at impressed by the degree of scholarship that Marantz brought to his the Gray Academy, that school has traditionally aimed to attract subject matter which, he explained, was in large part motivated by his approximately one-third of Jewish school-age children in Winnipeg. reading the Harry Potter stories to his eight-year-old daughter, Ellie, While there was a substantial drop in enrolment at that school this that I took out my iPhone and started filming parts of his lecture. past school year – 90 students altogether, reducing the size of the total (I’ve since posted that video montage online on the jewishpostand- student body in K-12 from 600 to 510, I showed that the actual size news.ca website, so that others might be able to witness the imagina- of Winnipeg’s Jewish population has been decreasing – not increasing, tive techniques that a gifted educator such as Marantz is able to mar- [despite what the Jewish Federation may have been telling us]. That shal when it comes to inspiring Jewish students with an appreciation fact, moreover, combined with the increased attendance at Brock of their heritage.) Corydon School this past year, led me to conclude that the percentage of Jewish elementary school students receiving some sort of Jewish education here is well over 60 percent, substantially higher than Toronto’s, for instance.) Still, London, England, provides a model of how it is possible to attract a much higher proportion of Jewish students to Jewish schools – and Jason Marantz has played no small part in the success of the London Jewish school system. As Chief Executive of the London School of Jewish Studies, a school that trains Jewish teachers for the Jewish school system, Marantz says his school produces from 30-40 teachers a year for the Jewish school system, yet there is still a need for a great many more Jewish studies teachers in England. Why, though, is it so important to have a vibrant Jewish school sys- tem, Marantz asked rhetorically? To answer that question, he pro- duced a quote from the former Chief Rabbi of England, Jonathan Sacks: “To defend a land, you need an army. But to defend freedom, you need education. You need families and schools to ensure that your ideals are passed on to the next generation and never lost, or despaired of, or obscured.” Adding to that sentiment, Marantz said you need Jewish schools to provide: “continuity, community, and identity”. He also quoted from a sign he once saw posted in a Rhode Island school that offered this description of its role: “purpose, community, and meaning.” (Hey, these are all great quotes that anyone can use in giving a talk about the future of education – not just Jewish educa- tion.) But, what’s so important about Jewish education, per se? Again, quoting from another source, Marantz used this line from the late film- maker Sam Wanamaker: “The key to the future lies in the past.” If kids nowadays are going to retain any Jewish identity at all, Continued on next page. Wednesday, April 1, 2015, THE JEWISH POST & NEWS 9 Limmud

Continued from previous page. Marantz suggested, we need to and the story of Passover. When Marantz asked the student whether he ask ourselves some basic ques- knew where “Eretz Mitzrayim” was, the boy didn’t have a clue that it tions: was Egypt. “Do kids have the skills to feel comfortable in a prayer service?” “Can they understand and speak about Israel?” In a question and answer session following his talk, Marantz delved “Are they able to perform Jewish rituals?” head on into some of the challenges facing Jewish educators specifi- “Can they speak about God in a comfortable way?” cally in Winnipeg. He suggested that Jewish schools everywhere “work together and sell the idea of going to a Jewish school” period, Okay, so he delineated the challenges facing Jewish educators. As rather than competing with one another. I asked him what he would for providing some suggestions how to meet those challenges, here is do to keep Jewish youths engaged after their bar and bat mitzvahs, what Marantz had to say: when there is traditionally a mass departure to the public school sys- “We need to teach skills and knowledge in a rigorous way – that’s tem. still fun.” We have to make sure that the standards set in our Jewish Marantz responded that “youth groups” are essential, and that schools are at the highest level possible in the teaching of non-Jewish schools need to work with them to keep Jewish kids engaged. subjects. (Marantz noted that, of the top five state-funded high schools Turning to the question of fees, Marantz noted that, in the United in all of England, three are Jewish.) Kingdom, Jewish schools (along with all other parochial schools) are Also, “we need to answer questions and encourage them regularly,” not allowed to charge fees. “There’s a lot of interference on the part of he said. the government in the education system in England,” he explained. As Finally, “we need to focus on relevance as opposed to just engage- a result, the Jewish school system there relies upon donations from ment.” parents and others. (To be fair, Marantz didn’t necessarily suggest that Jewish schools here adopt that system. He just threw it out there as a Yet, very often the tendency within Jewish schools has been to rele- possibility and an illustration of how something that might be consid- gate the “Jewish” component of the education to a second-class status ered impossible here is actually quite successful elsewhere.) in comparison with secular studies. Marantz was critical of that Finally, Marantz noted that he had given a talk at the Gray Academy approach, saying that “Jewish education cannot feel like an extra or both to students and teachers on the Friday preceding Limmud. He poorer cousin” to secular studies. said he wanted to give “a shout out to Gray Academy” and what he He suggested that educators send home homework time tables to perceived to be “its great sense of spirituality” when he visited the parents “setting out how much time students should spend on Shabbat Assembly. It should also be noted that at one point during his Hebrew, as well as English studies. There should always be a balance, talk, Marantz asked for a show of hands from those in attendance as Marantz says. to how many were themselves involved in the education system. Not When it comes to encouraging questions, Marantz suggested edu- surprisingly, many hands were raised – surely an indication that edu- cators shouldn’t be afraid to tackle the kinds of questions that very cators themselves are always eager to learn new ideas. young children are bound to ask, such as: “Who are God’s parents? (By the way, I asked (tongue-in-cheek), Jason’s father, Howard, who Can God fly?’ He added that, within the next two months, his school was in attendance, along with Jason’s mother Bonnie, and sister Kara, will have a website established to answer exactly those sorts of ques- whether it would be possible to “lose” Jason’s passport, so that he tions by a “range of experts”. might not be able to leave Canada. As much as Jason Marantz has Turning to the subject of “relevance and engagement as opposed to proven to be a highly valued addition to England’s Jewish community, just engagement”, here’s an example provided by Marantz: “During what an asset he would be if he were to move back to Winnipeg. We Sukkot, talk about the concept of homelessness and what it feels like can dream, can’t we?) to have to pick up and move.” Read the article on page 12 for a summary of Marantz’s fascinating Continuing on the theme of relevance, Marantz gave this example of dissertation on the Jewish influence in the Harry Potter series.) “integrating” Jewish curriculum with the secular curriculum: He sug- gests taking students to the British Museum and teaching Jewish his- tory at the same time as students are exposed to such ancient cultures as Greek and Egyptian. Marantz told a story how fractured the teaching of Jewish and secu- lar subjects can be when it comes to molding young minds. One day,
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A review of five different Limmud presenters By MYRON LOVE This year’s journey through Limmud Winnipeg, March 14 and 15 covered the gamut of Jewish experience and beyond. I sat through a traditional Torah study session, a description of life in a Lubavitch commu- RABBI EVA JONATHAN REVEREND RABBI nity, a trip into ZVI HIRSCHFIELD WISEMAN BITTON DON JAMES Sephardi mysticism, SID SCHWARZ an overview of ers”. Christian Zionism and a look at where we have been as a Jewish com- “We have a choice in life,” he said. “We can go the route of radical munity in North America and where we are going. individualism and constantly try to win at all costs and stoke our own egos. Or we can aspire to work together with others to build an inclu- Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield sive community.” Although not in chronological order of presenters, it seems appro- priate to start with the Torah. American-born Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield’s Eva Wiseman dvar Torah on the subject of gossip was the best-attended presentation Winnipeg writer Eva Wiseman’s early books were based on the I experienced on Sunday. It was literally standing-room only. Hungarian Jewish experience – based on her own upbringing – Hirschfield is a staff member of the Pardes Institute of Jewish before, during and after the Holocaust. Those books were geared pri- Learning, an open, co-ed and non-denominational Jewish learning marily for teenage girls. Her sixth novel, “The Last Song”, was set at community, based in Jerusalem and with programs worldwide. the time of the expulsion from Spain over 500 years ago. In an interactive session, Hirschfield opened by asking his audience Wiseman’s most recent work, “The World Outside”, takes place in for definitions of gossip (talking about other people, hearsay) and more modern times by comparison. The central character is a 17-year- encouraging a discussion about why people like to gossip (wanting to old girl, from a Lubavitch Family in New York’s Crown Heights area, be “in the know”, wanting to feel included). who yearns to spread her wings. When gossip gets it wrong, he noted, it can ruin someone’s reputa- Speaking at Limmud, she noted that “The World Outside” is draw- tion. And even positive (or “good”) gossip can arouse envy in some ing readers from beyond her usual demographic. Wiseman reported people. that her original intention with the novel was to focus on the Crown Hirschfield passed out sheets with examples of negative conse- Heights riot – August 19-21, 1991 wherein Black rioters from sur- quences from jealousy in the Torah and rabbinical commentaries on rounding neighbourhoods staged what was essentially a pogrom in the tales. The first such example was where Miriam and Aaron, sister Crown Heights in the aftermath of the accidental death of a Black boy and brother of Moses, began murmuring about him – that he had a who was hit by a car that was part of Lubavitch Rebbe Menachen Cushite (Black) wife – and questioning why he had God’s ear and they Mendel Schneerson’s motorcade. – who were also prophets – didn’t. However, after doing research into the Lubavitch community – For this murmuring, including living with a Lubavitch Family in Crown Heights for a week the Lord punished – she decided to focus in the book on the Lubavitch community – Miriam by afflicting incorporating the pogrom to the later part of the novel. her with leprosy. As At her Limmud session, Wiseman described her experiences in Hirschfield pointed Crown Heights and her observations about life in a Lubavitch com- out, the maligned munity. She reports that she was only able to hook up with the Moses argued with Lubavitch community in Crown Heights because she had a family God on her behalf – connection. thus demonstrating his Wiseman noted that she made it clear to her hostess that her book own humility – and was for a general public. “My hostess said she didn’t have a problem had the decree lifted with that,” the author said. (after a short period in “I was impressed with the Lubavitch community’s generosity. I had isolation for Miriam). three invitations to Shabbat lunch. No one ever goes hungry in the He finished with the Lubavitch community.” story of brothers Cain Wiseman said that her first impression on entering Crown Heights and Abel – with Cain – was that she had stepped back in time (there were men with black hats the farmer – killing and beards everywhere and a lot of them were pushing baby carriage) Abel – the shepherd – except for the ubiquitous cell phones. in a fit of jealousy “There were a lot of little stores and, on every corner, was a yeshiva because God “smiled” or shul. The rebbe’s picture was everywhere and all conversations cen- on Abel’s offering but tered around religion. not on Cain’s. As part of her research, she interviewed a half a dozen 16-year-old The message here, girls. “They all seemed to be well-adjusted,” she noted, “and they all Hirschfield said, is wanted to be shlichim (field workers, so to speak, doing outreach in “don’t look at your Jewish communities worldwide). So many young Lubavitchers want to brother, but look to be shlichim now that you need connections.” yourself. Don’t com- She reported that one girl wanted to go to university to study fashion pare. Gossip is com- paring yourself to oth- Continued on page 21. See “Limmud”. Wednesday, April 1, 2015, THE JEWISH POST & NEWS 11 Yiddish page

Reports: U.S. may no longer block anti-Israel U.N. actions WASHING- TON (JTA) – The Obama Itay Zutra the I.L. Peretz Folk School Yiddish Teaching Fellow, University Of administration Manitoba. may reconsider shielding Israel from critical actions in inter- national forums, according to “We are not going to get reports. ahead of any decisions about Politico and what the United States would The New York do with regard to potential Times on action at the U.N. Security March 19 Council,” Jen Psaki, the State each quoted Department spokeswoman unnamed said. senior admin- istration officials as saying that the United States may back a U.N. Security Council reso- lution that would set the parameters for a two- state solution according to the 1967 lines. The change comes after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in the lead-up to Tuesday’s elections in Israel, pulled back from endorsing a two-state solution, saying there would be no Palestinian state on his watch. In the past, the Obama administration has shielded Israel from critical resolutions, even when such resolutions hewed with administra- tion policy; one famous instance was a 2011 U.S. veto of a U.N. Security Council resolution on Israeli settlement expansion that was in line with President Barack Obama’s opposition to settlement building. Administration officials, asked by JTA for comment, pointed to statements March 18 by spokesmen for the White House and State Department. The spokesmen stopped short of saying that the United States would support Israel-critical actions in international forums or would not veto such actions. However, they did say a change was possible. “We are not going to get ahead of any deci- sions about what the United States would do with regard to potential action at the U.N. Security Council,” Jen Psaki, the State Department spokeswoman, said in her briefing for reporters. “I will reiterate that it has long been the posi- tion of the United States under Republican and Democratic presidents, and it has been the position of successive Israeli governments, that only a two-state solution that results in a secure Israel alongside a sovereign and inde- pendent Palestine can bring lasting peace and stability to both peoples,” she said. “The prime minister, as we all know, in his comments earlier this week indicated that he is no longer committed to pursuing this approach. Based on the prime minister’s com- ments, the United States is in a position going forward where we will be evaluating our approach with regard to how best to achieve a two-state solution.”

English translation of Yiddish column After the Israeli elections, I have been think- ing about what I have learned from Yiddish and Yiddish literature. Many Yiddish writers feared that the Jewish state is becoming an “armored Ghetto” for living Jews; that Israelis have for- gotten what it was like being oppressed and now became vicious oppressors. From an Israeli Zionist I have returned to being a dias- pora Jew. Zayt gezunt yisroel un a koshern This column is funded by the I.L. Peretz Folk School Endowment Trust at the peysekh yidn. Jewish Foundation Of Manitoba. 12 THE JEWISH POST & NEWS, Wednesday, April 1, 2015 Limmud

Using “Harry Potter” as a vehicle for teaching children Jewish stories By BERNIE BELLAN In order to make It may seem super- the case that he did ficial at first glance – Sunday afternoon, using the most popu- March 15, at lar children’s series of Limmud, Marantz novels of all time to first gave his audi- teach Jewish kids ence a primer on the lessons in Jewish his- history of the novel. tory. In an illustration But, in the hands of which you can see a master such as on the opposite Jason Marantz, the page, Marantz drew superficial can upon a 2004 book by become quite real English author Who knew that Harry Potter was actually a and the applicability Anthony Goldstein was “the only Jew at Christopher Booker of using archetypes “chasid”? (Not really, but don’t you agree he titled “The Seven looks like one here?) Hogwarts” - something that was confirmed handed down by J.K. Rowling herself in a tweet. Basic Plots: Why We through the centuries day tales and ancient Tell Stories”. The to demonstrate similarities between modern- ones from Jewish history resonates in ways that photo shows those seven basic plots. During might have seemed unimaginable. his talk Marantz referred to the movie “Jaws”, When I first learned that Marantz was going whose story is totally familiar to most movie- Introducing... to be giving a presentation at Limmud titled goers, but noted that the story is almost exact- “The Only Jew at Hogwarts” – and that was ly the same as “Beowulf”, which was written CURBSIDE during a Skype conversation that I had with over a thousand years ago. In both cases the GAMEGAME BOXBOX him in February, I thought this was not to be storyline involves “vanquishing a monster”. MOBILE VIDEO GAME THEATRE taken all that seriously. Into which category would the Harry Potter But, during the course of our Skype conver- series fit? According to Marantz, it would be sation, as Marantz began to explain the lines the “quest”. As mentioned in the other article of thought that, he said, would permeate his in this issue which I wrote about Marantz’s talk, I began to understand the brilliance of his appearance at Limmud, he is an avid Harry thesis. He asked me, at that time, not to give Potter fan and is now in the process of reading away any surprises that might be in store for aloud all seven novels in the series with his anyone who might be considering attending eight-year-old daughter, Ellie. (Marantz says he his talk and, when I did write my story pre- will will do the same thing again with his three LUXURY LIMO STYLE GAMING THEATER AT YOUR DOORSTEP! viewing Marantz’s impending appearance at younger children when they grow older.) Limmud, I kept true to my word. I withheld To digress for a moment – let’s remember mentioning the quite amazing conclusion at that the title of Marantz’s presentation that • Birthday Parties • Fundraisers which Marantz had arrived concerning a com- afternoon was “The Only Jew at Hogwarts”. • Graduations • Socials parison between the Harry Potter books and Before he took us on a very entertaining expo- what is undoubtedly the most important story sition how the Harry Potter story closely • Weddings • Bar & Bat Mitzvahs in our own Torah. resembles one of the most important stories
 Still, I anticipated that Marantz was going to from the Torah, Marantz entertained his audi-
 have quite a bit of fun presenting his case that ence with an amusing foray into the world of Harry Potter actually contains a strong similar- wizards created by J.K. Rowling. It began,
ity to a story that forms one of the bedrock sto- Marantz explained, around Chanukah time
 ries in Judaism – and fun he had! last year (December 16, to be exact), when With his ever-present smile, and with the someone by the name of Benjamin Hoffman Book Online: pronounced British accent with which he now sent this tweet to J.K. Rowling: “my wife said www.curbsidegamebox.com speaks, Marantz is a polished raconteur as there are no Jews at Hogwarts. I’m a Jew so I [email protected] well as a highly-respected educator in England assume she said it to be the only magical 1 in 204-470-4749 – or anywhere else he chooses to deliver his the family. Thoughts?” message about making Jewish education rele- To which, J.K. Rowling herself tweeted back: Play any time! vant – which is quite a few places indeed. “Anthony Goldstein, Ravenclaw, Jewish wiz- ard.” Naturally, given J.K. Rowling’s renown, that set much of the Harry Potter universe GIRLSG BBELONGBELOONGNG HEHEREHERREE atwitter (no pun intended). Who was Anthony Goldstein Our ffoocus onalll-girl’ls’’educd ation means more opporortunitiest any way? It turns out that ffoor girls in Science, TTeechnologgyyy,, Engineering, AArts anand Math. there were but two brief mentions of Mr. Spaces still available at all levels ffoor 20152015/2016,/20 , includingg Goldstein (in the first our year-round,, full-daayy childcare progogram,, beginningng ata and fifth book of the series, “Harry Potter age 2! and the Philisopher VisitVViisit ourouur Open House AAprilppril 19, Stone” and Harry NoonNoonon to 4 pp.m..m. Potter and the Order of the Phoenix)”, according to BALMORALALMORALLHALL.HALL.COM/GIRLSBELIRLSBELLONGHERENGH Marantz. It occurs when one of the teachers at Hogwarts is taking the roll call and Anthony Goldstein’s name is Continued on next page. Wednesday, April 1, 2015, THE JEWISH POST & NEWS 13 Limmud Happy Continued from previous page. called out immediately Passover prior to Hermione Granger’s. Other than that, he is mentioned as being part of Dumbledore’s Army, but that’s it, although if you Google his name, you will discover a rich and detailed biography describing his complete In this 2004 book, author Christopher background. (Since I’m Booker suggests there are only seven not a devout fan of the basic plots in all novels that have Harry Potter series, I ever been written. admit I have no idea how 204.885.7272 such a minor character can have such a fleshed-out back story, but I leave it to others much wiser than me to educate me in this matter.) In any event, it seems that Marantz’s only reason even for referring The staff and tenants of Shaftesbury to the aforesaid Goldstein was to set the scene for a series of surprises, Park Retirement Residence would like which he proceeded to unleash upon his audience during his talk. to wish everyone a Happy Passover. According to Marantz, Harry Potter himself bears a strong resemblance to none other than probably the most famous and hallowed figure in Call 204.885.7272 Jewish history, Moses. to find out more about life Here are the similarities that Marantz found between Harry and Moses: at our lovely residence. 1. They grew up in unfamiliar places among families that were not their natural families. NOW OPEN 2. They were delivered to those homes by others (Miriam and Dumbledore) and discovered by someone from within the home. 3. They both started their quests as young boys. 4. They were had a close “relation” to their nemesis. Luxury Secured Living 5. They were inspired by “higher powers”. Marantz noted that he had done a fair bit of the research for this talk during an airplane flight, but that others around him were curious to www.allseniorscare.com know what he was working on as he produced some fascinating illus- trations that showed Harry Potter and Moses in similar poses. By the end of the flight, he said, he was receiving input from all sorts of passengers Where Caring is Our Number One Concern™ and crew as to the similarities between the Harry Potter story and the Jews’ exodus from Egypt. tickets on sale Let’s not get carried away, however, with what is, at heart, a light-heart- ed look at some interesting similarities between two stories that have been and will probably remain of particular interest to children for as long as books are read to and by children. The point of Marantz’s oh-so-original talk was how a wildly popular series of books such as the Harry Potter series can be used as a teaching tool for Jewish students. Again – as I noted in my other article about Marantz and how to make Jewish education “real”, he is determined to find new and interesting ways to engage young Jewish students in learn- ing about their Jewish heritage. As such, Marantz was interested in demonstrating how the Harry Potter books are “infused with Jewish values”, including: 1. Our choices define us. 2. We each have a crucial role to play. 3. We need to work to develop our talents. 4. We should treat everyone with respect. “They are laugh-until-your-sides-hurt- 5. We need to choose our friends carefully. funny. It’s exciting to watch them weave At the same time though – and this is where Marantz really became hilarity out of seemingly thin air.” light-hearted, he also showed how Harry Potter can well be compared with two other very popular stories: “Star Wars” and “The Greatest -The Cape Cod Times American Hero”, as well as the Torah. Consider this comparison, for JEWISH NATIONAL FUND instance: In all of the stories, there is a trio of major heroes, with two OF MANITOBA/SASKATCHEWAN males and one female, e.g.: Harry Potter – Harry Potter; Torah – Moses; Star Wars – Luke Skywalker; There are also trusted friends who can be counted on to stand side by NEGEVNEGEV GGAGALAALA 22015015 side with the hero: Harry Potter – Ron Weasley; Torah – Aaron (later Joshua); Star Wars – Hans Solo; FEATURINGFEAATTURING THETHE COMEDICCOMEDIC ANDAND IMPROVISATIONALIMPROVISAATTIONNAAL TALENTSTTAALENTS OOFF Finally, there is a strong female character who rounds out the triumvi- rate: Harry Potter – Hermonie Granger; Torah – Miriam; Star Wars – Princess Lea. Colin Mochrie In concluding his fascinating talk, Marantz quoted from Elie Wiesel: “People become the stories they hear and the stories they tell.” We want what we teach children to be “relevant”, Marantz reiterated, but we also want it to be “fun”. brad sherwood In every respect he accomplished that with his lecture at Limmud. Now, will some of the educators who were there that afternoon be WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17, 2015 able to emulate Marantz’s imaginative style of teaching? Who knows, but perhaps this article might offer some tips to Jewish educators how CLUB REGENT EVENT CENTRE to engage their students in ways that might be somewhat novel. If you think Jason Marantz had something useful to impart to Jewish educa- tors, why not pass this article along to an educator you know who might otherwise not have read or heard of his approach. And, if you want to contact Jason, his e-mail is: For tickets, tribute & sponsorship opportunities: [email protected]. [email protected] | 204.947.0207 |jnfwinnipeg.ca 14 THE JEWISH POST & NEWS, Wednesday, April 1, 2015 Limmud

“The Illegal Curve”: How five Jewish guys created one of Winnipeg’s most popular radio sports shows

By BERNIE BELLAN many hockey commentators. You have to hand it to the orga- As a result, when the radio nizers of Limmud: They don’t show was launched six years limit the kinds of sessions to ago, the three on-air hosts – what would ordinarily be consid- Pollock, Mindell, and Ginsburg, ered “Jewish” subjects, per se. If found that they were able to you’re a Jew – or maybe you just attract a long list of A-list hockey like Jews, or perhaps you just like guests. For instance, Mindell Jewish food, then you’re sure to noted, the show was the first one enjoy something at Limmud – to feature former NHL star Theo and maybe, just maybe, you’ll be Fleury discussing his past history given a time slot at Limmud to of molestation by his boyhood boot. coach Graham James – some- So – when I saw that one of the thing that was considered quite a afternoon sessions was titled bit of a coup for the show at the “Ahead of the Curve: The Story time. Behind and Origins of the Illegal From left to right: Drew Mindell, Richard Pollock, Ezra Ginsburg, Some time before the NHL Curve Hockey Show”, with David Minuk, Michael Remis. Photo credit Rodney Braun, Illegal Curve pho- actually returned to Winnipeg, Drew Mindell presenting, I tographer. however, the boys began to spec- thought to myself: “So many of ulate among themselves about the learning sessions at Limmud are kind of heavy – with a strong the possible return of the league to this city. They noted that every emphasis on Jewish religion, here’s something for someone really NHL city had an all-sports radio station and wondered which radio superficial – like me!” station here might eventually fill that bill. Their conclusion – and it Now, ordinarily, sports stories in this paper are the purview of our wasn’t really much of a guess, was that it would be 1290 – since 1290 inimitable sports writer, the great Harvey Rosen (who continually had already had a previous, but unsuccessful fling, with an all-sports astounds me with the depths of his knowledge of anything related to format. the Jewish sports world). In fact, Harvey has written about the guys Thus, they decided to approach 1290 with the idea of moving “The behind the “Illegal Curve” hockey show before, but when I saw the Illegal Curve” from the Red River College radio station to 1290 and chance to hear firsthand the story how the show came about from one the station which, by then, was now owned by the sports network of its creators, I decided to attend Mindell’s presentation. I wondered behemoth TSN, bought the idea. In September, 2010, TSN 1290 was whether it was going to be somewhat light-hearted, but when I saw officially launched and, some months later, “The Illegal Curve” that Mindell had prepared a Powerpoint presentation I understood became the first locally-produced show on the station. (In the begin- immediately that he was going to be taking this very seriously. ning, all the programming on 1290 emanated from the American During the hour that he had to give his presentation, Mindell inter- sports network, ESPN, Mindell noted.) spersed stories and anecdotes with audio clips from past radio shows The year 2011 proved to be a momentous one for hockey-starved and the occasional visual showing how the show had grown in pop- Winnipeggers, as that was the year the NHL announced it would be ularity since it was first launched in the radio studio of Red River returning to Winnipeg. Without any foreknowledge of that, however, College six years ago. “The Illegal Curve” website, which had been put on hiatus by Richard By now you might be wondering just what “The Illegal Curve” is? Pollock a couple of years before, was reinstated in March, 2011– Well, it’s both a radio show focused on the National Hockey League something that proved to be prescient once the news of the NHL’s – with a heavy emphasis on the Winnipeg Jets, and a website that pro- return to Winnipeg was announced. vides a wealth of arcane information on the same subjects. According to Mindell, it was on their radio show that the first hint According to Mindell, the idea for “The Illegal Curve” first came that it would be the NHL’s Atlanta Thrashers that might be moving to from the febrile mind of lawyer Richard Pollock (whose real job is Winnipeg – and not the Phoenix Coyotes (which had been everyone’s working for Evans Family Law Corporation) eight years ago, when expectation to that point, if there were to be a move of any NHL fran- Pollock launched a website by the same name. The website was a chise), was disclosed. It was during an interview with NHL Deputy hodge-podge of information about hockey but, where it gained some Commissioner Bill Daly that Daly casually mentioned that the Atlanta currency among devout hockey fans, Mindell explained, was in its Thrashers might be moving. At the time the boys didn’t realize how linking to a great many other hockey-related websites. significant a revelation that was, Mindell admitted. Two years later, Pollock, along with four other guys who had all In short order though – in May, 2011, the NHL did make the official been friends since childhood: Mindell (a business analyst and change announcement that it would be the Thrashers moving to Winnipeg. management specialist for Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries); Ezra Ever since there has been an insatiable appetite for news about the Ginsburg (a marketing and research coordinator for Cushman & Winnipeg Jets within certain circles here – and “The Illegal Curve” has Wakefield, a local commercial real estate firm); Michael Remis (a been filling that need to a large extent. radio producer at 1290); and David Minuk (an entrepreneur), began If you’ve never heard the show (and I admit that I’ve listened to it producing podcasts in the basement of the aforesaid Red River very rarely myself as I’m a committed CBC listener when I do listen to College, soon moving into the college’s radio studio, where they the radio), it can be heard Wednesday evenings from 6-8 and launched a weekly radio show. Saturdays from noon-3. “The Illegal Curve” follows a format of having Their motivation was entirely a love of the game, Mindell explained. the three on-air hosts discuss what seem to be the most esoteric minu- When I asked him whether they make any money from doing the tiae of hockey-related subjects, with guests from a variety of different show, he shrugged and said they now get paid something by radio sta- NHL cities. tion TSN 1290, but none of them are in it for the money (although Considering that the show is aimed at a particular, but highly sought- Michael Remis is now working for the station on a regular basis as a after demographic, i.e. young males, it is doing quite well, says producer, so at least one of the guys was able to parlay what was a vol- Mindell. “It’s the number one rated show in our time slot on Saturdays unteer position into a paying gig). among men age 18-49”, he says. By the way, it’s worth pointing out that TSN 1290 also has at least Yet, despite the show’s success, Mindell admits that the boys them- one other notable Jewish on-air personality in the person of Matt (who selves are largely responsible for procuring their own sponsors. Three used to be known as “Matthew”) Leibl. Leibl can be heard in the of those sponsors are well-known in the Jewish community: important weekday morning time slot of 6-11 on what’s called the Bernstein’s Delicatessen, Rumor’s Restaurant and Comedy Club and “Big Show”, along with co-hosts Troy Westwood and Brandon Linden Market Dental Centre. Mindell said that the boys are OK with Rewucki. One thing I love about Leibl is that he’s very upfront about having to find their own sponsors, in addition to receiving some pay- his Jewishness, constantly dropping references to his “bubbie”’s cook- ment from 1290 because, “we enjoy being masters of our own ing and other such parochial remarks. domain. While we have an excellent working relationship with TSN To return to the story of “The Illegal Curve” and how it has morphed 1290, we appreciate the flexibility and freedom that comes part and into a very popular radio show twice a week on 1290, Mindell parcel with being independent contractors.” explained that the boys began doing their radio broadcasts at Red River College in February, 2009. At the time Pollock was still main- Of course, one of the perks attached to the show is that all five guys taining his website which, according to Mindell, garnered him the respect of hockey aficionados throughout the hockey world, including Continued on next page. Wednesday, April 1, 2015, THE JEWISH POST & NEWS 15 Limmud/ Community news Continued from previous page. are able to sit in the Jets press box for all games. When Mindell sent me a picture of them at a Jets game, I noted that they were all wearing suits and ties. I asked him whether that was a prerequisite in order DREW MINDELL: “It’s the number one rated to be able to attend show in our time slot on Saturdays among Jets games. men age 18-49”. According to Mindell, “it’s not mandatory, but that’s the generally accepted press code.” The thought occurred to me: “The Illegal Curve” airs Saturday after- noons at noon – when synagogues are just about to conclude their Musaf services and have their kiddushs. All five guys are Jewish, they wear suits and ties to Jets games. Why then, not broadcast the show from a synagogue auditorium during the kiddush – with live audience participation? Surely that would be a way of increasing attendance at synagogue among the coveted (but sparse synagogue-attending) male 18-49 age group. And, since the Jets are the new religion for so many Winnipeg Jews, it wouldn’t be that radical a departure to include a prayer for the Jets into every Shabbes service, would it?

Holocaust Awareness Week: April 12-18, 2015 We Remember our Past. We Trust in the Future. (Winnipeg, April, 2015) - Yom Hashoah/Holocaust Memorial Day falls on the 27th of Nisan, midway between the anniversary of the beginning of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising and Yom Ha’atzmaut. Yom Hashoah falls on Monday, April 16th, 2015 this year. The Annual Public Holocaust Commemoration, featuring the Premier’s Proclamation of Yom Hashoah will take place at 12:00 noon at the Holocaust Monument on the grounds of the legisla- ture. The Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages and Member of Parliament for Saint Boniface will bring greetings on behalf of the Federal gov- ernment, Mayor Brian Bowman will speak on behalf of the city. Rabbis, community dignitaries, members of the legislature, Holocaust survivors, students from Winnipeg schools and several hundred members of the community will commemorate Yom Hashoah together. The Annual Holocaust Memorial Service and street-naming cer- emony will begin Holocaust Awareness Week at Congregation Etz Chayim, 123 Matheson Ave. E., on Sunday, April 12th, at 11:00 a.m. with Jeremiah Kopp, President University of Manitoba Students’ Union as keynote speaker. This service is usually attend- ed by the remaining Holocaust survivors in the city. It will be fol- lowed, in the evening, by the 8th Annual Yom Hashoah Commemorative Service and reading of the “Megillat Hashoah” at 7:00 p.m. at Congregation Shaarey Zedek – a liturgical service at which representatives from various faith streams will be repre- sented. Monday’s program includes the Annual UJPO/Sholem Aleichem Community Program at Congregation Etz Chayim at 7:30 pm. Along with the special North End Jewish Folk Choir; there will be a talk about Women of Courage and Valour. On Tuesday, April 14th, Stay Young of the Rady JCC will host a Holocaust Program at 11:15 a.m. at the Asper Jewish Community Campus. On Friday, April 17th, the JCFS program for Holocaust survivors includes a memorial service and program led by Rabbi Alan Green and lunch at the Gwen Secter Creative Living Centre at 12:30 p.m. On Thursday, April 16th, Yom Hashoah, B’nai Brith Canada’s “Unto every person there is a name” program will take place at 9:30 a.m. in Room 254 at the Legislature. It will be followed by The Annual Public Holocaust Commemoration at the Holocaust Monument at noon. 16 THE JEWISH POST & NEWS, Wednesday, April 1, 2015 Joanne Seiff

Culture clash, Pesach, and why we do it True Confessions: When I was a kid, I hated home, the paper grocery bags would shift around. In the laundry Passover. Many years, my maternal grandpar- room, we’d turn on the extra refrigerator and stash the Kosher for By ents took a train from Brooklyn to visit us for Passover foods. There’d be another room with “regular” kosher food to the holiday. While the distance from New serve as provisions for before the holiday started. York to Virginia wasn’t far, the cultural and Then, we’d make a trip to the rabbi’s house. ‘Uncle’ Larry is the rabbi religious divide was huge. I grew up with, and his basement transitioned from being a great play My mother was raised in a “Conservadox” area to being the “chametz” station. My mom would sell her chametz JOANNE SEIFF household. Her father attended an Orthodox to him, store it in his basement, and continue the scrubbing - and cook- shul when my mom was little. My mother ing. In the middle of the night, you could smell chicken soup. In the loved going to services with her father and her grandfather. When morning, you’d see all the matzah balls made. It was like elves came at somebody told my grandfather that my mother was “too big” to be sit- night. In reality, it was all my mother’s and grandmother’s work. ting with her father on the men’s side of the mehitzah, my grandfather When the Seders arrived, we had practised the four questions. We’d joined a Conservative shul instead. He wanted his daughters to daven put on our new Pesach clothes. We’d moved chairs and cushions and with him. My grandparents kept a glatt kosher tables. We were ready. home - and expected my mother to do so My grandfather would beam, saying “I LOVE when they visited Virginia. Those special Kosher for PESACH!” My father would grit his teeth and Northern Virginia was not a big population Passover dishes were only two get through it. As a Reform Jew from Virginia, center for Jewish families back in the 70s and of the many sets of dishes. My his religious practice and culture were often 80s. I was one of the only Jewish kids in my so different that it felt like my grandparents public school class. Passover school bag mom had our every day and were from a different country. My mother and lunches were an opportunity not only for my Shabbat dishes (+2), Our grandmother looked exhausted, and struggled non-Jewish classmates to learn, but also to Passover dishes for when my to simultaneously participate in the Seder and belittle me. Although we had a strong Reform dole out the many courses. Jewish community, that didn’t mean we were grandparents did not visit (+1), My father would spring up, helping to serve. ready for my grandparents’ visit. Obtaining the Kosher dishes for when my He’d be in charge of clean up, running the Glatt Kosher Passover food was so difficult as grandparents visited when it dishwasher and reducing chaos. I remember to be funny. My mother would begin weeks how hard it was to remember what the point ahead, with shopping lists and scrubbing. wasn’t Pesach (+2) and a set of of the Seder was through all the food, dishes, She’d haul out the two sets “K for P” dishes my father’s mother’s gorgeous and procedures. and run them all through the dishwasher. Art Deco china (+1). That’s What I hated was watching my mother work Those special Kosher for Passover dishes were eight dish sets! so hard to please her parents and exhaust her- only two of our many sets of dishes. My mom self at the altar of Pesach perfection. While she had our every day and Shabbat dishes (+2); loves making holidays special, this effort often our Passover dishes for when my grandparents did not visit (+1); the robbed us of what Passover is about. kosher dishes for when my grandparents visited when it wasn’t Pesach The food and the Seder are only a reminder of why we celebrate the (+2); and a set of my father’s mother’s gorgeous Art Deco china (+1). holiday. Remembering the Exodus from Egypt, we need, as Jews, to That’s eight dish sets altogether! celebrate freedom and to remember what it was to be slaves–strangers Getting food for the whole visit was an ordeal. First, one had to fig- in the land of Egypt. We need to use that as a springboard to help oth- ure out what could ers. Eventually, our seders broadened to include civil rights, Soviet and be bought at the Ethiopian Jews, and other social action issues. Through this lens, local grocery stores - Pesach became more meaningful to me. either long in Every year, when I struggle to do only a small portion of what my advance or right mother achieved, I stop myself when I begin to feel desperate. What’s before the seders. the point of Pesach? It’s about more than obsessing over chametz. That meant asking the store managers Joanne Seiff is the author of two books and works as a freelance to order special writer, editor, designer and educator. See more of her work on her things. Those man- blog: www.joanneseiff.blogspot.com agers were not in or at http://www.ravelry.com/designers/joanne-seiff.
       tune with religious diversity or ritual      foods! The second Conference of Conservative Jewish part required a 45- minute trip (without women to be held here traffic, but there was The annual conference of the IntraContinental Region of Women’s always traffic) each League for Conservative Judaism (WLCJ) will be held in Winnipeg way around the D.C. from April 25 to the 28th, 2015. This region ranges from Saskatoon Beltway to south through the US midwest all the way to Mexico and the con- Maryland, to a ference provides a wonderful opportunity to meet women from kosher grocery store. these locales who share our interests and commitment to
      Since this was an Conservative Judaism. enormous half-day Local conference co-chairs, Randy Schwartz (Congregation Etz        undertaking, I was Chayim) and Sandy Polanski (Congregation Shaarey Zedek) promise taken along to help that this year’s conference will have something for everyone. during my spring Sessions and speakers will focus on the conference theme: “Finding Let us cater your home or office parties... vacation. a Balance”, with workshops enabling attendees to improve their old Sample trays (meat or dairy): If my grandparents and learn new skills for themselves and for their sisterhoods. WLCJ • Canneloni • Manicotti were already visit- provides a consultant, this year it is Shelley Goldin from Olney, • Pasta al Forno • Gnocchi ing, we’d all go to Maryland, to bring her vast knowledge and training skills to round Maryland. My • Tortellini (with tomato or cream sauce) out the conference. grandfather would WLCJ is the largest organization of Jewish women with more than • Salads (Tossed, Italian, Paradise, meticulously go 75,000 members in Canada, the US, Mexico and Israel and is ded- Cheese, Feta or Caesar) through the list icated to the perpetuation of traditional Judaism in the home, com- while looking for- munity and synagogue. WLCJ provides support to The Jewish        ward to a big sand- Theological Seminary, the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies and       wich in the store’s the Seminario Rabinico Latinoamericano in Buenos Aires as well as deli. My grandmoth- the Schecter Institute in Jerusalem.    er would push a sec- For more information on the conference (which is open to non-
      ond cart, sometimes members), or WLCJ please contact Randy Schwartz through with a kid in it. Congregation Etz Chayim (204-589-6305) or Sandy Polanski Once we returned through Congregation Shaarey Zedek (294-452-3711). Wednesday, April 1, 2015, THE JEWISH POST & NEWS 17 Sports

No longer big bad Bettman, but a friend instead THE SPORTING TOUCH I must admit that the 2015 Canadian and American networks Rady Jewish Community put more money in the union’s trea- Centre Sports Dinner sure chest and players’ pockets. By Organizing Committee chaired Let us not forget that Bettman also by the indefatigable and per- did the bidding on behalf of a lot of sonable, Blair Worb, threw me millionaire sportsmen. He champi- a curve when I was anticipat- oned the Canadian assistance plan ing a fastball right over the whereby a revenue sharing agree- HARVEY ROSEN middle of the plate and I struck ment saw American teams create a out swinging. money pool to help support the You see, the chosen few have chosen NHL small-market teams when our Commissioner Gary Bettman as their featured guest NHL commissioner GARY BETTMAN Canadian dollar (past and present) speaker on their earliest dinner date ever - smack in shrunk faster than a Dollarama tee- the middle of the race for the Stanley Cup. The 43rd shirt. Rady JCC event will be held on Thursday, May 7th at the RBC The Bettman family consists of wife Shelli and three children, Convention Centre. Lauren, Jordan, and Brittany and now resides in Saddle River, New When the well-known organizer and one-time TV and radio broad- Jersey from whence Gary will be galloping by to sup with a crowd of caster, Ernie Nairn, only days before the official announcement, charitable-minded folks. Some of whom will no doubt recall that shared with me the name of the celebrity who was possibly coming to when Bettman came to Winnipeg in the summer of 2011 to pro- dinner, I opined that the price must have been right. nounce at a press conference that “The NHL is back in a place we I mean, the now 62-year-old Cornell University (Ithaca, N.Y.) 1974 wish we hadn’t ever left in 1996 !” graduate would be following some really tough acts that had delivered Surely, by now, all will have been forgiven, won’t it? the goods in spades on previous occasions such as Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Drew Brees, Mark Messier, Joe Montana, Cal Ripken Jr. and POST PATTER: Peyton Manning among many others dating way back to 1973 when As of March 26th Nairn shares that 1,065 tickets have already been necessary fund raising dinners began in earnest and slowly grew to sold. Fair enough to say, the ducats are selling at a brisk rate. In 2014 attract sports aficionados of all denominations. Magic Johnson drew approximately 1,600. Gradually, I began to soften my stance towards one-time bad boy To be honored this year at the dinner will be Arnold Frieman (owner Bettman serving as the guest of honour. Truth be known, he wasn’t of Advance Electronics) and his wife Myra, along with their daughter exactly beloved by all and sundry in the Province of Manitoba. I mean Nona and her husband Ashley Leibl for all the many contributions even the polar bears at the zoo must have blamed Gary in 1996 for they have made; not only to the Jewish Community and the Rady JCC relocating the original Jets to Phoenix, Arizona where they were hard- Centre but to the Winnipeg community at large. Arnold was also ly a howling success. recently honoured by the Deer Lodge Hospital Foundation. Nona has I also reckoned that with the additional educational background he also been a great help as a member of the dinner committee for a acquired at New York University School of Law, where he majored in number of years. Husband Ashley is a tire stores owner in Winnipeg. Industrial and Labor Relations and having had a wide variety of work Soon to be announced will be the names of the nominees for the experiences, Bettman might prove to be a somewhat more interesting 2015 Jewish Athlete of the Year. This group is going to be one of the study than, say, some athletes who might be one dimensional. strongest in many moons. Gary, for example, was previously Senior Vice-president and The popular Sara Orlesky of TSN will once again be Guest M.C. General Counsel to the National Basketball Association and learned Last year many concurred that she was one of the best to date. much from the recently retired commissioner, David Stern. The writer, a Jewish Winnipegger, is a former school teacher, and In May of 2014, he was named “Sports Executive of the Year” by the covers football and hockey for Canadian Press and Broadcast News. Sports Business Journal and Sports Business Daily. Keep in touch with Sporting Touch. Send news about Jewish sports Not to mention the love-hate relationship that many hockey afi- to Harvey Rosen, 360 Scotia Street, Winnipeg, Man., R2V 1W7, e- cionados had with the commissioner, who had been a central figure mail: [email protected] during three labour stoppages, including the 2004-05 NHL lockout that saw the entire season cancelled. In addition, critics accused Bettman, who has held his pre- sent post after taking over from Gil Stein on February 1st, 1993, of having an anti-Canadian agen- da and being more interested in creating franchises in the southern U.S., such as the Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Dallas Stars, and Nashville Predators, rather than strengthening or relo- cating to Canadian cities, such as Hamilton, Quebec or Winnipeg. No doubt he was as popular with the players’ union as bedbugs when, dur- ing his tenure he locked out the orga- nization three times. In sharp contrast Bettman’s tenure also shows that his negoti- ations with major 18 THE JEWISH POST & NEWS, Wednesday, April 1, 2015

OBITUARIES MEMORIAMS In Memoriam WEEK OF In Memoriam Obituaries, Unveilings and In Memoriams, $8 per APRIL 1 column inch. Extra charge for photo $15. Payment may be made over phone, with Visa or Mastercard. Please e-mail obituaries to [email protected] In Memoriam All obituaries in The Jewish Post & News are also posted to our website at 19th Yahrzeit http://www.jewishpostandnews.ca. In loving memory of There is no extra charge for this service. ESTHER ADLEMAN FLORENCE GOLDBERG who passed away In loving memory of (Nee - HOCHMAN) April 2, 1996 It is with great sadness 13 Days in Nisan In loving memory of our dear MOSHE CANTOR BECKY CANTOR that we announce the — Always remembered and and beloved father, who passed away who passed away passing of Florence sadly missed by her children grandfather, and April 7, 1963 April 4, 1993 Goldberg on Friday, and grandchildren. great-grandfather 13 days in Nissan, 5723 13 days in Nissan, 5753 March 6th, 2015, at age ISRAEL Devoted to children & family and to Am Israel, they contributed 95. Our mother was pre- much to the community and to Yiddish education. deceased by our father In Memoriam BROTMAN Max, in 1977. who passed away Re-united on Moshe's Yahrzeit. Sadly missed by their children & She leaves to mourn In loving memory of April 6, 1961 grandchildren. sons Shim, and Sheldon RUTH DVERIS 20 days in Nisan We cannot have the old days back (Reva), grandchildren who passed away When we were all together, Brenlee Larence (Ian), April 16, 1995 But secret tears and loving thoughts; Jessie Dumoff (Roz), 16 Days in Nisan Will be with us forever. Darcie Volkart (Shaun), — Sadly missed and always — Sadly missed by his and Melanie (Mike); great grandchildren Sydney and remembered by your family. children, grandchildren and Matthew, Thomas and Samuel, and Max, Sawyer, and great-grandchildren. Lucy. Family life began when she married our father, Max In Memoriam Goldberg. In tandem, they created a solid foundation In Memoriam In Memoriam filled with family and friends.Our parents spent many 14th Yahrzeit wonderful years together. 1st Yahrzeit 11th Yahrzeit 13th Yahrzeit Our mother very much enjoyed mahj, canasta, and especially bridge. After a chance meeting at a tourna- ment, Saul Silbert and our mother became inseparable. Spending their remaining years together was a given. Our mother’s individuality is what many will re- member. A strong sense of self made her both decisive and capable. She also had a steely determination to overcome life’s obstacles. Thus, family and friends could always count on her for support. We will all miss her invaluable cooking and baking tips. Fortunately, her treasured recipes have been handed down for future generations to enjoy. Baba Flo took great pride in the accomplishments of In loving memory of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. They be- came her reason for living. Celebrating birthdays and In loving memory of PEARL family events became her cherished memories. JOAN BAKER (CHOROST) The family wishes to express its deep appreciation who passed away FINK for the incredible care she received while at the St. April 8, 2001 In loving memory of Boniface Palliative Care Unit. Dr. Pilkie and Dr. who passed away 15 days in Nisan March 29, 2014 SOPHIE JACOB AUBIE JACOB Crawford, the nurses, student nurses, and others who Our hearts still ache with sadness tended to our mother deserve special mention. Their 27 days in Adar II who passed away who passed away And silent tears still flow November 25, 2003 April 16, 2002 compassion, counsel, and respect were of great com- — Sadly missed and ever And what it means to lose you remembered by her children, — Missed by all who knew and loved them especially their fort to our mother during her final journey. No one will ever know grandchildren and great- children and grandchildren. We take immense comfort in a life well and truly Ever remembered and sadly grandchildren. lived. Her job done, she is at peace. Missed by her children, grandchildren & Deadline for the great-grandchildren. In Memoriam April 15 issue of 12th Yahrzeit The Jewish Post & News In Memoriam is noon Thursday, April 9 13th Yahrzeit In Memoriam

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In loving memory of our father and grandfather In loving memory of HAIM BIHMAN MYRTLE who passed away April 18, 2003 GREENBERG In loving memory of 16 days in Nisan who passed away You are always in our heart April 4, 2002 NATHAN SHAFER BETTY SHAFER and we love you forever who passed away who passed away 22 days in Nisan — Your daughter Rica, You are forever in our hearts April 28, 1978 April 9, 1998 grandchildren and great- 21 Days in Nisan 13 Days in Nisan and on our minds. grandchildren Carole, David, — Your loving children and — Forever remembered and sadly missed by your loving children, Hart, Matthew and Noel, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. grandchildren. Andie, Rachel, Alexa and Eli. Wednesday, April 1, 2015, THE JEWISH POST & NEWS 19

In Memoriam In Memoriam In Memoriam In Memoriam In Memoriam In Memoriam 20th Yahrzeit 16th Yahrzeit 26th Yahrzeit 3rd Yahrzeit

In loving memory of our dear In loving memory of mother, grandmother and In loving memory of great-grandmother In loving memory of In loving memory of our SARA In loving memory of LILLIAN (LIL) TOVA HILF RIVA RAISEN beloved father, grandfather C SAM SINGER and greatgrandfather GOORVI H who passed away who passed away who passed away who passed away 17 Days in Nisan MASLOVSKY April 10, 1971 JOSEPH Ajpril 4, 2012 April 4, 1999 April 5, 1977 who passed away 15 Days in Nissan 24 days in Nisan 19 Days in Nisan GANETSKY — Always remembered and April 13, 1995 — Ever remembered and sadly Her radiant smile — Always lovingly who passed away sadly missed by her daughter, 14 Days in Nisan missed by her children and will never fade remembered by her daughter April 27, 1989 grandchildren and great- — Ever remembered and grandchildren. — In loving memory, Michelle and son Ron. 23rd day of Nisan grandchildren. missed by his children, — Ever remembered and sadly cherished by her children, grandchildren and great- missed by his children, grandchildren, family and grandchildren. grandchildren and great- friends. MEMORIAMS grandchildren. WEEK OF APRIL 8 In Memoriam In Memoriam 26th Yahrzeit 2nd Yahrzeit In Memoriam In Memoriam In Memoriam In Memoriam 10th Yahrzeit 10th Yahrzeit

In loving memory of In loving memory of In loving memory of LEE SLUSKY our beloved NORMAN who passed away SIDNEY In loving memory of In loving memory of In loving memory of April 25th, 1989 C SAMUEL H. PEARL GOLTSMAN 20 Days in Nissan A KERMAN ANITA MOLLY who passed away Time has not dimmed the who passed away KEIVES UNRODE SPRINGMAN May 3, 2005 memory of your unconditional April 1, 2013 who passed away who passed away who passed away 24 Days in Nisan love, unwavering devotion and 21 Days in Nisan, 5774 April 10, 2004 May 1, 2005 April 16, 2003 Though our hearts still ache, gentle strength. A wonderful husband, father, 19 Days in Nisan 22 Days in Nisan 14 days in Nisan we hear his laughter through Gone from our lives but never father-in-law and zaida. — Very sadly missed and — Forever in our hearts and — Lovingly remembered by our tears from our hearts... — Ever remembered and sadly lovingly remembered by her in our thoughts. You are sadly your children, grandchildren — Your loving wife Shirley, — Loved, missed and missed by his wife Lois, husband, children and missed and lovingly and family. children and grandchildren. remembered always by your children Ron and Laurie, grandchildren. remembered by daughter husband Morton, your Karen and Jerry, Ruth and Diane and granddaughters children Maxa and Cliff, Tom, grandchildren, Milan, Rachel and Lauren. Jeff and Cindy and your Jared, Cassie, Vinny, Sam, grandchildren and great- Maddy, Evan, Dustin, Tanner, grandchildren, in whom you Aidan and brother Harvey and are immortalized. sister-in-law Corinne. In Memoriam In Memoriam 13th Yahrzeit 4th Yahrzeit In Memoriam 9th Yahrzeit In Memoriam In Memoriam 5th Yahrzeit 3rd Yahrzeit

In loving memory of In loving memory of THOMAS In loving memory of In loving memory of HAROLD SHELLEY LOUIS HAROLD In loving memory of AARON HYMAN RUSEN SWITZER who passed away GILLMAN who passed away AVRON KATZ FAYE KATZ who passed away April 30, 2011 who passed away May 2, 2005 who passed away who passed away March 28, 2002 26 Days in Nisan April 19, 2006 23 Days in Nisan April 1, 2010 April 11, 2012 15 days in Nisan — Always remembered and 21 days in Nisan — Remembered always and 17 Days in Nisan 19 Days in Nisan — Dearly missed by his sons, sadly missed by his children — Ever remembered and sadly deeply missed by your — Sadly missed by your children, grandchildren and great- daughter-in-law, grandson and grandchildren, family and missed by his wife, children, husband, children, grand- grandchildren. and family. friends. family and friends. children, family and friends. 20 THE JEWISH POST & NEWS, Wednesday, April 1, 2015

In Memoriam In Memoriam 6th Yahrzeit Community news

“Well-Done Manitoba” bringing new comfort to the community and beyond needs out there – from HVAC installation and service, to By HVAC professional consulta- tion for new homes and homes undergoing major In loving memory of improvements; residential MATT REBECA KUROPATWA electrical works; ducting for In loving memory of new homes; and creative spe- SAM SHORE BELLAN A new heating, cialty projects. who passed away who passed away ventilation, and air “We [Lubimov and April 14, 2009 conditioning com- Morinova] complement each April 11, 1980 20 Days in Nissan 25 Days in Nissan pany has recently other and through Well-Done —Ever remembered by family Manitoba, we’ve established — Ever remembered and sadly and friends. sprung onto the L-R - ARKADIY MORINOVA and missed by his children and Winnipeg scene, VITALY LUBIMOV our friendship even more,” grandchildren. headed up by three said Morinova. Vitaly newcomers from [Lubimov] puts customer sat- Israel who now call Winnipeg home. isfaction above all else, and that’s what In Memoriam Led by Arkadiy Morinova and Vitaly makes him the ideal partner in this business. 24th Yahrzeit 19th Yahrzeit Lubimov and supported by Galit Morinova, “Israel is a magnificent place and will Well-Done Manitoba has made big strides always have a warm place in my heart,” said since opening in Winnipeg a year ago. Morinova. “But Winnipeg is now home and “Usually building a new business from thanks to the huge support we received from scratch would involve high risk and instabili- the community and friends here, we now ty,” said Arkadiy Morinova. “In our case, have a successful business too.” we’ve been blessed with customers who now Morinova and crew want to introduce their refer their friends and families to us, as they company to the public, and to share a bit trust us to provide exceptional service at about the people behind Well-Done affordable prices. Manitoba. “Knowing the people behind the “I’ve never experienced such quick word- business is the most important aspect of of-mouth growth. After just a few months, it working with professional tradespeople,” said was clear that in order to provide the quality Morinova. of work we expect from ourselves, we’d need With Passover fast approaching and the pre- In loving memory of In loving memory of to work at the business full-time.” holiday cleaning frenzy already in high gear, JOE REGINA Being a tradesperson all his professional Well-Done Manitoba is offering a 15 percent TARGOWNIK TARGOWNIK life, Morinova said, “I’m in love with helping discount on any of its services to all readers who passed away who passed away people with my strengths and skills.” of this article (just mention this article to April 9, 1991 April 11, 1996 Although Morinova has found the receive this special offer). 25 Days in Nissan 22 Days in Nissan Winnipeg market to be very competitive, “Our dream is to ensure all people have a Forever in our hearts after working with some of the competition stable, healthy, and affordable environment — Ever remembered and sadly missed by your children and and talking to people, he feels locals can to live in,” said Morinova. “We hope that by grandchildren. benefit from a reliable, professional HVAC growing our business we can reach more company with the sort of integrity and people and positively affect their lives. straightforwardness that he said, “one would “We’d like to thank the wonderful people of In Memoriam only find in Israel.” Winnipeg for their warm welcome. We’d also Recently, Well-Done Manitoba has added like to wish a Chag Aviv Sameach to the local more services to accommodate the growing Jewish community.” Library One reason that the Kaufman Silverberg Library never applied for accreditation earlier is because the Campus library Continued from page 2. is a one of a kind creature. “As far as I know, we have the only Jewish library that is both a school library and a community library,” notes Janet Gould, Esterin’s predecessor as head librarian. Gould was the head librarian at Joseph Wolinsky before the Gray Academy opened at the new Asper Jewish Community Campus in the fall of 1998. “When we first set up this library (in the basement of the Gray Academy), we weren’t sure how this was going to work,” she recalls. “Our mission was to serve the school and the larger community. At first, we experi- mented with separate hours for the school and the general public. Buts we soon found that there was no problem having adults coming in at the same time that students and student groups were using the library. We have a lot of space.” Gould reports that the library is popular with people of all ages. For students, it provides a safe and welcoming place where they can read, study and do their homework in quiet. Parents who bring their kids for swimming lessons or other Rady Centre programs can while away the time at the library. And older adults who come for early morning exercises can drop in before they go home. Esterin notes that the library has a collection of over 42,000 books, more than 250 movies (acquired thanks to a grant from the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba) and a number of recent- ly-acquired Kindle e-book readers. “We are starting to develop an electronic books collection” she says. “We also sell tribute cards (denominations of $10, $18 or more) to mark different occa- sions and it is a great way to support the library. “ The Kaufman Silverberg Library’s hours of operation exceed the city’s public libraries. The In loving memory of Kaufman Silverberg Library is open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M., Fridays from 8:00 until 3:40 (closing time is earlier on Fridays in the winter) and Sundays MENDEL FROST BELLA FROST from 10:00-4:00. who passed away who passed away “You should see how many students we get in here between 4:00 and 6:00 o’clock,” Esterin says. April 5, 2002 May 2, 1997 She notes that the staff would like to encourage more parental involvement. “We would 24 days in Nisan 25 days in Nisan like to have more volunteers in here after school hours helping students with their homework Ever remembered and sadly missed by their children and and leading new enrichment programs,” she says. grandchildren. Wednesday, April 1, 2015, THE JEWISH POST & NEWS 21 Limmud

design so that she could make clothes call for a Jewish homeland. Hechler, through a contact at the Prussian Limmud for Lubavitch women. Court, was instrumental in getting Herzl a meeting with the Kaiser, Continued from page 10. She noted that while “secular” educa- thereby giving Herzl’s quest international credibility. tion for Lubavitch boys stops after The other man was actually a former Winnipegger – one Reverend Grade 6, most Lubavitch men do work – either as teachers, in the dia- William Hull, a graduate of Kelvin High School who led a congrega- mond business or in the Shmatta trade. tion in the north end in the 1930s. In 1935, James noted, Hull heed- Wiseman did meet one youngish woman who had left the commu- ed an inner call to go to Jerusalem, where he opened a Christian book- nity for 13 years. She came back, she said, because she missed the fel- store. lowship. When, in 1947, the British turned over the Palestinian issue to the She also met a young rabbi who had had a Lubavitch girlfriend. He new United Nations, Canada was one of nine countries that was asked was embittered because the couple had been forced to break it off. to send a representative to serve on a special commission looking into Connecting outside of a shidduch isn’t the way the Lubavitchers do the issue. Canada’s representative was Ivan Rand, a Supreme Court things. Judge. Wiseman spoke very highly of the late Rabbi Schneerson. She noted “Rand knew nothing about the situation,” James said. “In Jerusalem, that he was a wise man and a visionary. While it was his father-in-law, he went in search of someone who might enlighten him. He found the sixth Lubavitcher rebbe, who started the outreach program, it was Hull. The two had lunch together and Hull persuaded Rand to support Rabbi Schneerson who greatly expanded it. partition and the creation of a Jewish homeland, a position that Rand She also touched on the divisions within the community as to then persuaded his fellow commissioners to also support.” whether Rabbi Schneerson is the Messiach – a very sensitive subject Bridges for Peace, James said, was founded in 1964 by Reverend G. in the community. Douglas Young, the son of Canadian missionaries who were active in In general, she said, the Lubavitch community has given “The World South Korea. It was while attending the largely Jewish Dropsy College Outside” an emphatic “two thumbs down”. “I was shocked by the (he was studying Hebrew) in 1949 that Young was made aware of the reaction (although, she added, the local Lubavitch families, whom she horrors of the Holocaust. He came to understand the culpability of the knows, have been polite about it), she said. “I tried to be fair in the Church in creating the conditions for the Holocaust. novel but, I am forced to conclude, the community would have only Like Hull before him, Young responded to an inner voice telling him been satisfied with uncritical praise.” to go to Israel. He arrived in Jerusalem in 1959 and established the American Institute for Holy Land Studies. Bridges for Peace followed Jonathan Bitton five years later. Jonathan Bitton is a relative newcomer to Winnipeg (He moved here James reported that, during the Six Day War, Young provided shelter from Toronto in 2006.) who has, in recent years, rediscovered his for many Jewish Israelis and used his school’s van as an ambulance. Moroccan Jewish heritage. In his presentation, the children’s resource “Last year, in celebration of Bridges for Peace’s 50th anniversary, we teacher described how he became fascinated with the Sephardi mys- donated two ambulances (the second sponsored by the Spanauer tical traditions of his ancestors. Group) to the Magen David Adam,” James noted. Bitton’s family emigrated to Toronto from Morocco in the mid- Bridges for Peace’s goals, James said, are to support the Jewish 1960s. Bitton noted that his zaida, Rabbi Samuel Bitton, had been a People in their own land and to educate Christian communities about prominent rabbi and teacher in Morocco – he had his own school – Israel and the need to support the Jewish homeland. He reported that before following the family to Toronto. Bridges for Peace has supporters throughout the English-speaking “I never really got to know my grandfather,” he said. “I was born in world as well as Japan and, most recently, South Korea. 1976. I never learned Spanish and he never learned English. There was The organization has a number of programs in Israel for helping always a language barrier between us.” lower income Israelis. In Karmiel in northern Israel, Bridges for Peace Samuel Bitton died two years ago – he was in his late 90s – and the has a massive warehouse stocked continuously with 500 tons of food family divided up his library. To his surprise, Jonathan received sever- – as well as a smaller such warehouse in Jerusalem. al of his grandfather’s books, one of which was “Tikkun Karet”. That “Our food programs serve over 20,000 Israelis a month,” James book sparked a newfound interest on the part of Jonathan Bitton in his reported. “We also support 188 adopted families, 50-100 families in religious heritage. 18 outlying towns, 400 children with hot lunches, school supplies and “Tikkun Karet”, he explained, was written in the late 18th century by enrichment programs and 82 organizations – both Jewish and Arab. the “Chida” -, Haim Yosef David Azulai. The Tikkun is a compilation “And we have a home repair program mainly for low income of the 36 sins listed in the Torah for which an individual can be cut off seniors. We pay for all the materials.” from the community along with a recipe for how to atone for those He noted that the Canadian branch of Bridges for Peace (whose sins. headquarters is in Winnipeg) supports three towns in Israel. It was a struggle for Bitton to translate and understand the Tikkun In response to a question about strong Christian support for the and, with the enthusiastic support of University of Manitoba associate Palestinians among, for example, the United Church and the professor Ben Baader, he has launched a series of all-night study ses- Mennonite Central Committee, he conceded that Bridges for Peace is sions – focusing on “Tikkun Karet” and other sources – on appropriate still fighting an uphill battle. occasions such as Tikkun Leil Pesach (on April 9 for readers who might “We believe that when Israel is singled out from all other nations, be interested in participating), Shavuot (which begins on Saturday, that is anti-Semitism,” he said. “We believe that the children of Jesus evening, May 23) and rosh chodeshes. should stand with Israel. A lot of Christians love Israel. “Tikkun,” he explained from a mystical perspective, “is the spiritual “But there are also a growing number of Christians who oppose process of liberating and retrieving the fragments of Divine Light Israel.” trapped within the material realm, unconscious of God’s presence, thereby restoring the world to its initially intended state of perfection. Rabbi Sid Schwarz This is accomplished through the performance of Mitzvot, one of It is amazing to me how much attitudes change from generation to which is Torah study. generation and how quickly the world forgets. That was once again “It’s a beautiful experience being up all night learning Torah and brought home to me by Rabbi Sid Schwarz’s presentation on Saturday being involved in spiritual practice,” he added. evening, March 14, about trends within the American (and, by exten- Bitton said that he believes that the study of Jewish texts is an effec- sion, Canadian) Jewish community. tive way to get Jews back in synagogue and reconnecting with A Reconstructionist rabbi from Baltimore, Schwarz, a member of the Judaism. “The text is the teacher,” he said, “and the teacher is open to baby boom generation, began with an overview of the worldview of anybody no matter what age, sex or ability in Hebrew. our parents/grandparents generation who lived through the Holocaust “I hope to find more people who would like to engage in our study and witnessed the miracle of the creation of the State of Israel. sessions.” To that generation, trying to integrate into American society, it was Adding a feel-good atmosphere to Bitton’s presentation were important to have a strong Jewish community for mutual support. Mahlouf and Mary Muyal and Mary Benarroch, all originally from For his generation, he pointed out, the touchstones were the mira- Morocco, who knew Bitton’s zaida in Morocco. Mahlouf Muyal noted cles of the Six Day War, the raid on Entebbe and the campaign to free that Rabbi Bitton was one of his teachers and Mary Benarroch showed the Jews of Russia. around a photo taken of a group of men in Morocco that included her To the young generation born since 1980, the war, Entebbe and the husband, Shlomo, and Rabbi Bitton. Soviet Jewry might as well be ancient history. Their worldview has been shaped, Schwarz noted, by Israel as a military colossus and a Reverend Don James comfort level in America which negates the need for being part of a Christian Zionists played a major role in the establishment of the specifically Jewish supporting community. State of Israel, noted Reverend Don James, the national development “As Jews, we are no longer outsiders in America,” he pointed out. director for Christian Zionist organization Bridges for Peace, speaking “We have kicked down the doors. We have made it.” at Limmud to a group of about 30. As a result, he said, He specifically singled out two individuals. William Hechler was a American Jewish 19th century Anglican Minister who was inspired by Theodore Herzl’s institutions (the Continued on page 23. See “Schwarz”. 22 THE JEWISH POST & NEWS, Wednesday, April 1, 2015 Community news

Kurdish New Year celebration Several members of the Jewish community attended the Kurdish comunity’s New Year cel- ebrations, held Saturday evening, March 21, at the Punjab Cultural Centre on Mandalay. David Matas extended greetings on behalf of the Jewish community, while members of the newly- formed “Winnipeg Friends of Israel” group (l-r): BERNIE BELLAN, FARHAD also appeared - as a SULTANPOUR, President of the Kurdish show of support for the Association of Manitoba, and NOUR ALI of Kurdistan. From left: Rose Aziman, Rena Elbase at Matzah Aisle table. Kurdish community here. Federation, Shaarey Zedek, Sobey’s team up Lubavitch Purim for Passover in the matzah aisle Over 300 members of the community packed the Jewish By MYRON LOVE Learning Centre on Thursday, March 5 for a “Purim Seudah”. On Sunday, March 22, Jewish Federation of Winnipeg Jewish Engagement Specialist Rena Elbaze and volunteer Rose Aziman were on hand at the Sobey’s on Taylor to give passersby tips on hol- iday meals for Pesach, menu ideas, recipes and an opportunity to taste a new option for charoset. Their table at the back of the store also had information as to com- munity and home hosting seders and raffle tickets for a gift basket and other holiday gift items and tickets to the community seders. The event was co-sponsored by the Federation, the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue, Sobey’s and Big Tent Judaism, a Jewish outreach pro- gram which supports Jewish community workers throughout North America. Elbase reports that this was the third year that this event has been held. She estimates that about 100 people stopped by the table to visit.

Rabbi SHMULY ALTEIN ((left) & MORRIS HENOCH as a couple of hip- pies (or maybe Jimi Hendrix and Willie Nelson)?

AL BENARROCH as King Ahashveros

LIAM (left) and AARON as the “Mario Brothers” Wednesday, April 1, 2015, THE JEWISH POST & NEWS 23 Community/Israel news

Jewish National Fund helps to integrate young people with disabilities into the IDF By MYRON LOVE give young people with special On Rob Berkowits’ most recent needs the opportunity to serve visit to Israel in February, one of on his base. The young people the programs that most impressed dismantle gas masks and sort all the executive director of the the different parts of the mask, Jewish National Fund office for which are then sent for repairs. Manitoba and Saskatchewan was All the soldiers do the same job, the Israel Defense Forces’ whether they have special needs “Special in Uniform” project or not. which enables youth with disabil- Several IDF bases throughout ities to fulfill a dream and to be Israel are participating in this like most young Israelis that serve program including bases located in the IDF. in Ramle, Nes Ziona, Negev, “This program, for which the Mishmar Ha Negev, Beer Sheva JNF is raising money, successfully and Eilat among others, promotes a more inclusive phi- Berkowits says. losophy within society and assists “I had the pleasure to meet the in the changing of attitudes about graduating class as they were people with disabilities and how presented with their coveted they can fully participate and graduation uniform jacket,” contribute in society,” Berkowits Berkowits says. “The venue was says. electric and filled with joy and Berkowits notes that in Israel, Rob Berkowits, Executive Director of the JNF Manitoba- happiness. It was truly a unique the IDF is known as the people’s Saskatchewan office (in shorts, third from left), along with some of and special experience to wit- army. “The significance of this the IDF members with disabilities. The JNF has been contributing to ness.” model is that beyond its military the Israel Defence Forces program that allows disabled youths to He is encouraging JNF contrib- duty to ensure Israel’s security, make a meaningful contribution to their country. utors who feel so inclined to the army, as the melting pot donate to this project through the inclusive of the sectors of Israeli society, has an important duty,” he Winnipeg office. notes. “This approach has led over the years to the formation of several IDF units that rehabilitate at-risk youth as well as juveniles in the process CLA SSI F I EDS of rehabilitation. Research has shown that once integrated into the Classified ad rates: $13.00 per column inch. Minimum charge, $13.00. For military, these boys were embraced by the community and the work advertisers outside Winnipeg, $15.00 per column inch, minimum charge $15.00. force and never returned to their “old ways”. One column inch equals about 15 to 20 words. Discounts available for ads placed “However, to date there is a large sector of the population that has more than 26 weeks. Payment can be made over the phone or in writing, using not been integrated in the army in spite of their ability to contribute your VISA or MASTERCARD. greatly in terms of security and values. These are youth with disabili- ties.” For more information please call 694-3332. The founder of this “Magshimim Halom” project for special needs soldiers is IDF Lt.-Col. Ariel Almog, who served for 28 years in the IDF Artillery Corps. In 2001, he was severely wounded. While he was PROFESSI ONA LS REA L ESTA TE FOR RENT in hospital, he met soldiers and patients who had suffered from severe psychological trauma. That’s when he knew that he wanted to do Certified General Accountant TIFFANY TOWERS something to help people who didn’t fit into a regular IDF framework PHILIP KAHANOVITCH 1179 GRANT find a way to contribute. Large 1 BR, 2 BR and Ariel, then a commander in the Home Front Command, decided to B. Comm. (Hon), M.B.A., C.G.A. • Accounting •Auditing ADVANCED REALTY Penthouse suites across •Tax •Data Processing Buy or sell through me and from Grant Park S.C. Schwarz Orthodox excluded) are in crisis. receive Air Miles Includes all util. & laundry. (Continued from page 21.) “We cannot continue to do busi- 212-2211 McPhillips St. ness as usual,” he said. Winnipeg, MB R2V 3M5 Balc., pool, heated undergrd. Over the past 25 years, he reported, membership in Conservative Joyce Rykiss parking, on bus route. and Reform congregation have dropped by more than 50% and just 204-925-7999 7% of remaining members are under 35. Bus. 204-339-6969 Contact 204-453-5178 Support for Jewish Federations and JCCs is also well down, he Fax. 204-339-2717 e-mail address: [email protected] [email protected] added. It’s not that younger Jews are turning away from Judaism per se, he Res. 204-334-7086 S A LES & APPRAIS A LS explained. “A PEW survey found that younger Jews still feel pride in [email protected] MUSI C LESSONS being Jewish and support Israel. It is just that their priorities are dif- ALWAYS READY TO HELP ferent.” Piano, Guitar, Violin, Flute, Younger Jews are interested in social justice and are concerned CALL HARVEY FINEMAN about the environment, Schwarz said. They are also searching for a Oboe, Voice & Theory Studio sense of transcendence, holiness and sanctity in every day life. Advertise in • home contents sales Students Ages 4 and Up “Our legacy institutions can reach out to these younger groups The Jewish Post • consignment sales Over 30 Years of Musical with resources and leadership experience,” he suggested. “In order • garage sales Excellence to bring younger Jews back into the community, we have to make & News Linden Woods. 204-489-9048 the case that human rights and social justice are part of the central • appraisals core of Judaism.” [email protected] He cited, as an example, his own congregation’s popular annual Call 204-694-3332 204-488-0647 or Registered piano teacher, missions to Haiti to help rebuild that still devastated country. cel 204-951-1552 Concert artists. As for spiritual outreach and learning, Schwarz praised the efforts for information. of Chabad and programs such as Limmud. The bottom line, he said, is that, “at a time when technology has made meaningful social intercourse much harder to come by, the Jewish community must offer places where people can find support in times of need, communal celebration in times of joy and the kind of human relationships that make life ful- filling.” 24 THE JEWISH POST & NEWS, Wednesday, April 1, 2015 Wednesday, April 1, 2015, THE JEWISH POST & NEWS 25 Feature story

Former Winnipegger had close association with “Bugsy” Siegel By MARTIN ZEILIG “He was doing some sort of research for a On the evening of June 20, 1947, less movie. My father asked him for a job in the than six months after he opened the movie industry upon his release, and DeMille Flamingo Hotel-Casino in Las Vegas, Ben agreed. He found my dad work in a wardrobe “Bugsy” Siegel died in a barrage of bullets department. through the front windows while sitting He later became a property man, then a grip, on a couch in his Beverly Hills mansion the person in charge of production on a set, and at 810 Linden Drive. Assassinated at the eventually a producer.” age of 41, Siegel was one of the USA’s He befriended celebrities like George Raft, most notorious gangsters. Eddie Cantor, Clark Gable, Lauren Bacall, along Al Smiley (1907-1984), a former with such gangster associates as Ben Siegel. Winnipegger, was with Siegel that “I’m pretty sure Dad met Ben through George evening. Raft,” Luellen Smiley speculated. “My dad was seated inches away from With Siegel’s help he opened a nightclub in Siegel, on the sofa, and took three bullets L.A. sometime in the late 1930s. through the sleeve of his jacket,” said Smiley would later tell his daughter that Siegel Luellen Smiley, a creative non-fiction was “the best friend I ever had.” writer, award-winning newspaper colum- In her soon-to-published memoir, excerpts of nist and Mob historian, who lives in Sante which she agreed to let this newspaper print, Fe, New Mexico. Luellen Smiley reveals the conflicted feelings she She consented to an interview with The had growing up, and into later life too, about her Jewish Post & News earlier this winter. father: “He was brought in as a suspect. His “Some children are silenced. The pretense is photograph was in all the newspapers,” protection against people and events more pow- said Luellen. erful than them. As the daughter of Allen Smiley, “He was the only nonfamily member AL SMILEY when he was 30 years old. associate and friend to Benjamin ‘Bugsy’ Siegel, who had the guts to go to the funeral.” So who was Al Smiley? Continued on next page. Born in Kiev, Ukraine in 1907 as Aaron Smehoff, Smiley and his family – father Hyman, mother Anne, sister Gertrude (who became a school teacher and lived in Winnipeg until her death many decades later), brothers Samuel and Benjamin – immigrated to Winnipeg when he was five, said Luellen Smiley, during a recent telephone interview Warm wishes for a with this reporter from her home in Sante Fe, New Mexico. “My grandfather was a kosher butcher and delicatessen owner,” she Happy Passover continued, noting that the family home and butcher shop was locat- ed at 347 Aberdeen Avenue. “He maintained an Orthodox household and expected that his from the Board eldest son would become a rabbi. But, my father was rebellious and interested in sports, especially hockey.” and Staff of This caused conflict between the willful youth and his rigid, reli- gious father. Jewish Child and So, the teenager fled Winnipeg for greener pastures in Detroit, Michigan via Windsor, Ontario in 1923. Family Service He got a job travelling with the Ringling Brothers Circus and ended up in California where he was arrested for a drugstore robbery in San Francisco and sent to Preston Reformatory School in Ione, California, Luellen noted. “It was there that he met legendary movie director Cecil B. DeMille,” she said.

Happy Passover to the Jewish community

The Board of Directors from Wishes its Staff, Students, Parents and the Jewish Community The Management & Staff

A HAPPY PASSOVER

Tracy Kasner Greaves President

Rory Paul Head of School and CEO

Bernie Bellan,

Tove Silver, Diana Vincent & Robbie Mazo

26 THE JEWISH POST & NEWS, Wednesday, April 1, 2015 Feature story

Continued from previous page. “He maintained an Orthodox household Former and expected that his eldest son would become a rabbi. But, my father was rebel- Winnipegger had close lious and interested in sports, especially association with “Bugsy” hockey.” Siegel This caused conflict between the willful By MARTIN ZEILIG youth and his rigid, religious father. On the evening of June 20, 1947, less than six months So, the teenager fled Winnipeg for green- after he opened the Flamingo Hotel-Casino in Las Vegas, er pastures in Detroit, Michigan via Ben “Bugsy” Siegel died in a barrage of bullets through Windsor, Ontario in 1923. the front windows while sitting on a couch in his Beverly He got a job travelling with the Ringling Hills mansion at 810 Linden Drive. Assassinated at the Brothers Circus and ended up in California age of 41, Siegel was one of the USA’s most notorious where he was arrested for a drugstore rob- gangsters. bery in San Francisco and sent to Preston Al Smiley (1907-1984), a former Winnipegger, was with Reformatory School in Ione, California, Siegel that evening. Luellen noted. “My dad was seated inches away from Siegel, on the “It was there that he met legendary sofa, and took three bullets through the sleeve of his jack- movie director Cecil B. DeMille,” she said. et,” said Luellen Smiley, a creative non-fiction writer, “He was doing some sort of research for award-winning newspaper columnist and Mob historian, a movie. My father asked him for a job in who lives in Sante Fe, New Mexico. the movie industry upon his release, and She consented to an interview with The Jewish Post & DeMille agreed. He found my dad work in News earlier this winter. a wardrobe department. “He was brought in as a suspect. His photograph was in He later became a property man, then a all the newspapers,” said Luellen. grip, the person in charge of production on “He was the only nonfamily member who had the guts a set, and eventually a producer.” to go to the funeral.” He befriended celebrities like George So who was Al Smiley? Raft, Eddie Cantor, Clark Gable, Lauren Born in Kiev, Ukraine in 1907 as Aaron Smehoff, Smiley Bacall, along with such gangster associates and his family – father Hyman, mother Anne, sister as Ben Siegel. Gertrude (who became a school teacher and lived in “I’m pretty sure Dad met Ben through Winnipeg until her death many decades later), brothers George Raft,” Luellen Smiley speculated. Samuel and Benjamin – immigrated to Winnipeg when he LUELLEN SMILEY, daughter of AL With Siegel’s help he opened a nightclub was five, said Luellen Smiley, during a recent telephone SMILELY, and “Mob” historian in L.A. sometime in the late 1930s. interview with this reporter from her home in Sante Fe, Smiley would later tell his daughter that New Mexico. Siegel was “the best friend I ever had.” “My grandfather was a kosher butcher and delicatessen owner,” she In her soon-to-published memoir, excerpts of which she agreed to let continued, noting that the family home and butcher shop was located this newspaper print, Luellen Smiley reveals the conflicted feelings at 347 Aberdeen Avenue. she had growing up, and into later life too, about her father: “Some children are silenced. The pretense is protection against peo- ple and events more powerful than them. As the daughter of Allen Smiley, associate and friend to Benjamin ‘Bugsy’ Siegel, I was raised in a family of secrets. “My father is not a household name like Siegel, partly because he wore a disguise, a veneer of respectability that fooled most. It did not fool the government. “When I was exposed to the truth by way of a book, I kept the secret, too. I was 13. My parents divorced, and five years later, my mother died. In 1966, I went to live with my father in Hollywood. I was for- bidden to talk about our life: ‘Don’t discuss our family business with anyone, and listen very carefully to what I say from now on!’ But one night, he asked me to come into his room and he told me the story of the night Ben was murdered. “When I was spared death, I made a vow to do everything in my from youryyf friendsf ata the
        
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B.C. doctor delivers unusual foreign aid to Haiti by teaching surgeons to perform safer circumcisions

Tom Blackwell Sunday, Mar. 15, 2015 In Neil Pollock’s home province of British Columbia, a group called Foreskin Pride has actually held protests against circumcision, the procedure that has formed the heart of Dr. Pollock’s medical career for 20 years. In the crumbling Caribbean nation of Haiti, the operation made him something of a hero. Dr. Pollock spent a week in the country recently, delivering an unusual bit of foreign aid. In a place beset by violence, poverty and the aftermath of 2010’s devastating earth- quake, he trained surgeons to perform the almost-painless form of circumcision he has perfected. It is hoped the operation will become a mainstay in the battle against the country’s HIV epidemic, with evidence suggesting the penis-snipping can cut spread of the disease by 60%. Meanwhile, Dr. Pollock earned a surprise visit in Port au Prince from Hollywood phil- anthropists Sean Penn and Charlize Theron, also now a couple, who watched as he taught his technique. “I felt having this knowledge and this tech- Dr. Jerry Bonhomme, foreground, practices nique, I have an obligation to share it with newly learned circumcision techniques as other doctors in other countries, where it Vancouver’s Dr. Neil Pollock looks on in Port could have such a meaningful impact”, Dr. au Prince, Haiti. Pollock said. Now he is in talks with Ms. Theron to deliv- er similar training in Kwa-Zulu-Natal Continued on next page. province of her native South Africa, a place

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Continued from previous page. harder hit by HIV than almost anywhere in the world. “I felt having this knowledge and this tech- nique, I have an obligation to share it with other doctors in other countries, where it could have such a meaningful impact,” said Dr. Pollock. Circumcision, long a religious rite for Muslims and Jews, remains something of a controversial topic in the medical world, the foreskin-rights movement aside, and numbers of procedures are dwindling. The Canadian Pediatrics Society says the benefits of removing a boy’s foreskin do not outweigh the risks, in terms of pain and pos- sible complications, but that view is far from universal. The American Academy of Pediatrics and, most recently, the U.S. Centers for Disease

      " Dr. Neil Pollock, with Charlize Theron in Dr. Neil Pollock with actor Sean Penn, who   " Port au Prince, Haiti recently, says he is observed as he trained doctors in Port au working with the actress to deliver a training Prince, Haiti, how to perform circumcisions. !"" ! program on circumcision to doctors in her native South Africa. "   Control (CDC) have recommended it as a many of whom do not even know they are way to prevent HIV and other sexually trans- infected, said Dr. Klausner, a former CDC     mitted diseases. official in Africa. He asked around for someone to teach the Dr. Pollock dedicates his practice to cir- Haitian doctors. Everyone told him Dr. cumcision and “no-scalpel, no-needle” Pollock “had a reputation for being the best vasectomies at his Vancouver clinic. in the field and a great trainer.” Using special techniques to administer the The only catch is the American had no  local anesthetic and other modifications, he funding, so Dr. Pollock raised $25,000 him-    says he can now carry out a circumcision in self from friends and family, $10,000 from his about 30 seconds, own pocket. almost painlessly. “There wasn’t a Circumcision of small babies in Haiti makes day that went by … particular sense, given the average age of first when I didn’t think, sexual intercourse for boys is about 13 and Chag Sameach! ‘How can I improve 2.5% of teenage sex partners contract the this, make it safer, virus, said Jerry Bonhomme, one of the minimize discom- Haitian physicians Dr. Pollock trained. And a Healthy Passover to all our fort,’ ” he said. “Within 12 years, most newborn males Donors, Supporters and Friends “When you focus all born today will be protected with circumci- your energies on sion, which has an impact similar to that of a WINNIPEG CHAPTER one or two surgeries, vaccine,” he said. you have a lot of Conditions in and around the Gheskio David Matas, C.M., Chair mind space to con- Health Center in Port au Prince, the largest tinue to innovate.” AIDS and tuberculosis hospital in the Email: [email protected] Americas, were not ideal. Rebeca Kuropatwa, Contact After research emerged that cir- The walls crawled with mosquitoes that car- Email: [email protected] cumcision can sig- ried chikungunya, a nasty virus causing nificantly curb the severe joint pain that is epidemic in Haiti. spread of HIV – the Then there was the armed riot that erupted mucosal surface of over an unpopular government decree. the foreskin can has- ten uptake of the In the end, though, Dr. Pollock and his virus – he spent sev- trainees managed to circumcise more than eral days in Rwanda 100 babies. Now, Dr. Bonhomme will not in 2009, training only be able to apply the skills himself, but doctors there. eventually teach others. I got a sense they wanted to make a big dif- More recently, Jeff ference Klausner, a medical It was part-way through his visit that Dr. professor at the Pollock got a puzzling text, out of the blue, University of from Mr. Penn, who eventually came with California at Los Ms. Theron to visit. It turned out the Oscar- Angeles, discussed winning pair are acquaintances of Dr. with contacts in Klausner in L.A. Haiti the idea of “I got a very strong feeling of sincerity and bringing back the authenticity from both Sean and Charlize and largely overlooked I would say they were both very strategic procedure there. thinkers, very bright,” said Dr. Pollock. Though HIV rates “Charlize was also a very sensitive and have fallen dramati- compassionate woman … .” cally, the disease still afflicts about Reprinted with permission from the National one in 50 Haitians, Post. Wednesday, April 1, 2015, THE JEWISH POST & NEWS 29 Feature story

Leon Katz was a life-saving gamechanger in patient care

By LAURENCE WALL way, using pistons from a snow loader which the hospital’s snow- The Nazi officials must have clearing crew had reluctantly “donated.” been puzzled by the young The jerry-rigged device worked perfectly. Canadian captain interrogating Working with the renowned neurosurgeon Wilder Penfield in the them. The captain wore a British early 1950s, Mr. Katz devised instruments that allowed the surgeon to Army uniform, yet spoke flawless treat brain diseases. Dr. Penfield would later use those devices to German. make landmark discoveries about the human brain. It was 1945, the war had just In 1953, Montreal’s Jewish General Hospital hired him to look at ended and Captain Leon Katz was medical applications for the radioactive isotope of iodine, known as ordered to question these Nazis, I131. Mr. Katz travelled to Atomic Energy of Canada’s Chalk River speaking the German he had Reactor near Deep River, 180 km northwest of Ottawa, and obtained learned from his parents while some I131. growing up in Montreal. Now he Back at the hospital, he soon discovered that the isotope was effec- was 5,600 kilometres from home, tive in diagnosing and treating patients with thyroid disease. trying to find out more about the Over the years, Mr. Katz designed and built numerous medical people who worked for that mur- devices, including one of the country’s first fetal heart monitors. He derous regime. was also instrumental in devising innovative infant incubators as well But interrogations were only as a high-speed contrast injector used in a medical imaging technique part of Captain Katz’s duties called angiography. while attached to the British Among his most notable achievements was creating one of the first Army in Dusseldorf. He also heart-lung pumps for open-heart surgery. Mr. Katz had worked on the recruited, trained and supervised LEON KATZ. For his contribu- pump over many more than 30 anti-Nazi Germans tions to the field of medicine he months, trying to who, in turn,m scrutinized Third was awarded the Order of overcome a serious Reich records and documents. Canada. problem: His early Captain Katz also did some prototypes invari- “unofficial” work while in Germany. Over a period of months, he ably crushed the red arranged for military trucks to transport thousands of Jewish refugees, blood cells, his many of them orphaned children and nearly all of them Holocaust daughter, Floralove, survivors, onto ships bound for the British protectorate of Palestine, said. later Israel. “One day, he and Mr. Katz had been shipped overseas with the Canadian Army in 1944 Mum were walking at the age of 19 and saw the horrors of war. Once back in Canada, he through a farmer’s vowed to dedicate the rest of his time on Earth to saving lives. market,” Floralove By the time of his death on Jan. 9 in Ottawa at the age of 90, the said. “They observed Order of Canada recipient had designed and built an astonishing one farmer making number of vital medical devices, many of which are still widely used strawberry jam using to this day. This led to his later work with the federal Medical Devices a pump that didn’t Bureau, where he established standards that ensured the safety and crush the strawber- effectiveness of such devices used in Canada. ries as they moved Leon Katz was born into extreme poverty in Montreal on Dec. 20, through the system. 1924, the second of four children. His parents, Regina and Harry Katz, Dad’s brain, ever were Romanian immigrants. His father worked as a tailor, earning a working overtime, few dollars a month in an unheated factory. contemplated how Mr. Katz remembered his mother working at her Singer sewing to adapt and modify machine at home to earn a few cents to buy the children bread or a that very strawberry small jar of milk. She sometimes had to feed her entire family with just jam pump … to a can of sardines. push blood through Despite the difficult circumstances, Regina and Harry Katz still man- the system without aged to give their children an appreciation for education and music. crushing the red While listening to his mother’s small table radio, young Leon developed blood cells.” an affection for opera and symphonies that lasted throughout his life. He incorporated Growing up on Montreal’s Duluth Street, he faced regular, almost this mechanism and daily beatings from anti-Semitic bullies. Those beatings left him with his modified heart- 

         permanent scars on his face. But he still managed to graduate from lung pump finally Commercial High School with the silver medal for the highest average worked.
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#% !!# $&# #"#$ by a high school student in Quebec. On July 3, 1957, 1! '  %&%!$$$#'  )!&"&")!&# When he returned from the war, he studied electrical engineering at doctors at the ! %%&$#%)%!!" )!&# ')!&0$()( McGill University. After graduating in 1950, he joined the Montreal Montreal Heart &$%!#$!# 1 #!&#%$)#$ Neurological Institute as a biomedical engineer. This is where he first Institute conducted showed his remarkable versatility and his gift for devising medical one of Canada’s first equipment. successful open- Once, while working in a hospital radiology department in heart operations, Montreal, he was unable to find a suitable part to complete a device known as a whole bolus injector. So he improvised in a very Canadian Continued on next page. 30 THE JEWISH POST & NEWS, Wednesday, April 1, 2015 Feature story

Continued from previous page. child-safe medicine bottles. Biomedical engineer Fekri Osman worked with which saved the life of an 11-year- Mr. Katz at the bureau for several years. old boy named Pierre Whissel. “Leon Katz left a legacy of hard work, persever- Throughout the procedure, Mr. ance and a sense of humour,” Mr. Osman said. Katz sat calmly at the controls of “He found that humour deflates tension and cre- his heart-lung pump, keeping the ates good atmosphere around him. No matter boy alive during the delicate oper- what, he was always smiling.” ation. He was usually the only one Mr. Katz met his future wife, Ruth Gottlieb, in who understood how his devices 1949. Both were on their way to work on kibbutz- operated so Mr. Katz would often im in the new State of Israel. They returned to run his own equipment in the Montreal and married the following year, a mar- operating room. riage that lasted 65 years. The couple eventually “He was brave enough and had four children: Michael, Geoffrey, Floralove courageous enough and confident and Shelley. enough to develop these devices LEON KATZ had a knack for rigging up equip- Floralove says when she and her brothers were in a hospital setting,” says Timothy ment, often using found or discarded parts, to small, their father would entertain them with origi- Zakutney, director of biomedical solve life-and-death medical problems. Credit: nal bedtime stories. Montreal Heart Institute. “He would tell us these amazingly complex story engineering at the University of plots involving a little girl named Jennifer,” she Ottawa Heart Institute and a friend recalled, “and her own strategies for dealing with and admirer of Mr. Katz. two pesky boys upstairs, Berfie and Mergetroid.” “There was no choice; you’d have patients who would die if he did- Occasionally, her father would end a storytelling session by doing a n’t do something.” soft-shoe routine out the door of the bedroom while singing Merrily In 1965, Mr. Katz started a company to manufacture medical We Roll Along. devices called Medco Instruments. Even after selling it to a U.S. med- Mr. Katz was committed to the Jewish ideal of performing good ical products firm, he stayed on as a consultant and continued to deeds. Over a 20-year period, Mr. Katz organized and trained more design and build devices including an infant apnea monitor, the Air than two dozen volunteers, including his wife and daughter, and Shields infant incubator, external cardiac pacemakers and a DC defib- raised $1.5-million dollars for the Children’s Hospital of Eastern rillator. Ontario by setting up and collecting change from coin boxes. The hos- In 1973, he went from designing and building equipment to regulating it pital later awarded him the Order of the Good Bear for his efforts. when he became the first chief of the Diagnostic Devices Division and Later in life, more awards and recognition followed. In 2006, he Evaluation and Standards Division in the Bureau of Medical Devices in received the Living Legend Award from the World Society of Cardio- Ottawa. Thoracic Surgeons, a rare honour for someone who wasn’t a surgeon. Soon after joining the bureau, Mr. Katz discovered a potentially dead- In 2007, he was named an officer of the Order of Canada. ly back flow from tubes used to gather blood samples that became con- Mr. Katz was not afraid to challenge conventional wisdom, espe- taminated with bacteria. Some patients had already died or become ill cially when it came to a fellow officer of the Order of Canada. In as a result. 2008, he was outraged to read that Conrad Black might be stripped of His article in the that honour because of his conviction on fraud charges. British medical jour- Mr. Katz wrote a letter to The Ottawa Citizen that year in which he nal The Lancet argued that depriving Mr. Black of his award would be “an outrageous prompted American attack on one of the brightest, most eloquent, and distinguished and British authori- Canadians. ties to follow “His mastery of English, his challenging use of humour, and Canada’s lead and metaphor, and irony, his heroic defence of justice in Canada, all set issue recalls of the him apart as a remarkable and exemplary member of our society.” tainted tubes and In his late 80s, Mr. Katz was still doing plumbing, drywall and other later, to toughen up handiwork for tenants. He regularly attended performances by the their legislation. National Arts Centre Orchestra and other musical groups. During his time at Late last year, he appeared to weaken and became unwell. Doctors the bureau, later discovered that he had lung cancer. Mr. Katz Despite that, Mr. Katz still saw visitors in his hospital room and investigated would hold detailed discussions with former colleagues about past and corrected medical devices and current funding challenges. And he kept his more than sense of humour to the very end. 1,000 report- Days before his death, his wife, Ruth, and daughter Floralove, a pro- ed problems fessional singer, would sit by his bed and sing songs. with devices, At one point, a nurse came by and asked Mr. Katz if he was in any everything pain. from cardiac He smiled at her and replied, “Only when my wife and daughter pacemakers sing to me.” and pregnan- This article first appeared in The Globe & Mail as an obituary and cy test kits to was sent to us by the author, Laurence Wall, who gave us permission condoms and to reprint it.

   

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%&%,01% %&%,01% %&%,01% 2221($)#.$'%1.-*%0$# 2221($)#.,(//#,$# 2221($)#.$-+ Wednesday, April 1, 2015, THE JEWISH POST & NEWS 31 Humour Bells, bags and bagels Returning home demands our attention. Another male voice remove the coffee and bagel from the brown from Montreal after a wakes us with a new announcement. bag I cannot believe what I see in my hand! By lovely, but tiring visit “Attention passengers on Flight 690. There “This is too much!” I scream. “They may think with family for the has been a Gate change to Winnipeg. Please no one notices but I notice!” High Holidays, I’m irri- proceed to Gate A for further instructions.” “TIM HORTON’S HAVE SHRUNK THE table and the day has “Gate A? Where’s Gate A?” I say, musing aloud. BAGELS!” barely begun. Here we “How should I know?” snaps Harold, LIBBY SIMON are, Harold and I, sit- cranky from the sudden arousal. ting at Gate D at the We fire eye bullets at one another as if one Pierre Trudeau International Airport. Our flight of us is responsible for creating this pressure back to Winnipeg is scheduled to leave at 3:00 cooker, which is now reaching the boiling p.m. point. But we gather up our belongings and It’s now only 8:00 a.m., having been dropped are swallowed into the crush of passengers off early to accommodate everyone’s school and that suddenly rise in one harmonic orchestral work schedules. After a leisurely breakfast at one movement like sheep herded by snapping of the kiosks in the airport, I’m leafing slowly dogs and pushed through a trough like hys- through a mystery novel, while Harold is fum- terical, mooing cows. bling with large, clumsy pages of the Montreal As we pass by a Tim Horton’s Harold sneers, Gazette, struggling to confine its expanse and his “at least their line is moving,” to which I add elbows, within the limits of his seat. my own oozing sarcasm, “at least their bagels I’m already bored. To pass the time, I peruse are flying, even if it’s just off the shelf.” every shop as each gradually opens for the day. Weighed down by the carry-on bags slung I linger casually at the magazine racks, shuffle over our shoulders, I picture us like a match- my way to the water fountains and wander to Happy and Healthy Passover ing set of Quasimodo His and Hers caricatures to our clients, friends and the washroom again, and again, while Harold - hunched backs lumbering down corridors, questions me on my bladder control. stumbling along moving sidewalks, being led community Everyone around me seems to be moving in deeper and deeper into the unknown. slow motion as the wall clock ticks off the “Aha! There’s Gate A,” I finally exclaim, seconds one by one. The hours hang heavy as panting. We rush with a last surge of energy they sluggishly crawl by to 12:30 p.m. and collapse into two side by side seats, Suddenly, the clang of a bell in the terminal relieved to let go of the burden of bags we booke interrupts my ruminations, followed by static have pushed, pulled, dropped and dragged. crackling over the loudspeakers. In muffled When our pounding hearts finally return to a jargon, a male voice makes an announce- normal rate, the bodies demand food and ment, first in what we recognize as French. drink. I follow a pathway back where we find & partners We wait for the English translation. It is not a kiosk next to ‘Timmy’s’ and pick up ham- much easier to understand through the dis- burgers, fries and coffee. Satiated now, we CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS torted, misshapen sounds that seem to be lean back in our seats to wait. squeezed through the convoluted tubing of a No sooner had we finished eating when a French horn coiled around a snake in heat. third bell drew our attention to another We translate this to mean, “Attention all pas- announcement polluting the air. “Attention sengers on Flight 690 to Winnipeg. Your flight Passengers on Flight 690 to Winnipeg. We TRAVIS DE KONING, C.A., C.B.V. will be delayed. We apologize for the incon- have been advised that your flight is now GLEN FRIESEN, C.A. venience and thank you for your patience.” scheduled to leave at 9:00 p.m. All passen- KARYN GLASS, C.A. Harold and I lock eyes. We’ve been here gers may present themselves at the Gate A JACK Z. KATZ, C.A., T.E.P. before and we know the drill. We’re resigned. counter for dinner vouchers.” ROBERT PLOHMAN, C.A. Get as comfortable as possible because the Dinner vouchers? We just ate! Is this some future is now unknown. I glance at the clock. KEN SHIFFMAN, C.A. sadistic conspiracy intended to deter us from KELLY UKRAINEC, C.A. It’s lunch time and I’m getting hungry. How ever travelling by plane again? If it is, it’s much more time do we have to kill? There is working. But common sense kicked in and we no one at the desk to ask. I reach into my realized we will need a snack later if we’re carry-on bag and pull out a couple of famous not leaving until 9:00. Harold and I decide to Montreal bagels my son-in-law packed for pick up the vouchers. At 8:00 p.m., the final just such emergencies. Harold purchases two bell tolled for the last announcement of the coffees at a nearby machine and we eat. evening. Flight 690 has been cancelled! We 500 - FIVE DONALD STREET Chewing and swallowing must be gruelling need to pick up our luggage and we will be WINNIPEG MANITOBA R3L 2T4 exercise because we now feel exhausted. taken to a hotel in approximately one hour. TEL: (204) 284-7060 FAX: (204) 284-7105 Being a person of diminutive size, I stretch www.bookeandpartners.ca out as best I can on the only double seat We decide to use our Tim Horton vouchers available, which offers the comfort of a steel now to refuel for the last leg of the day. As I slab in a morgue. Harold, on the other hand, dozes in a slumped position with legs and Happy Passover to all our Friends & Clients arms spilling over the confines of his seat. It is now 2:00 p.m. when a second bell D. Chochinov, B. Sc,, FCGA S. Chochinov, B. Comm. (Hons.), CGA www.pwc.com/ca T. Curry, B. Sc., CGA

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Don’t ask When I was small I would watch, with fas- on your arm?” cination, as my father’s sister Cesia washed The adults sat in shocked and embarrassed silence. I kicked my By dishes. In a short-sleeved blouse, she’d brother under the table. “Shashi!” plunge her arms into sudsy water. The oblivious tyke inserted a second foot into his already crowded There were little blue numbers on the inside mouth. “Why do you kick me under the table?! What did I do?” of one of her arms. I thought the water would The adults were stunned, now. Their hurt, haunted eyes focused on wash them me. The spectres that lived in SHARON ZAJDMAN out, but it the world behind their eyes didn’t. There were little blue numbers on the inside of rose up in my relatives’ irises I didn’t ask one of her arms. I thought the water would wash to silently question me. How my aunt why she had blue numbers does the child know? How on her arm; I asked my mother. them out, but it didn’t. can the child know? We “Auntie has a bad memory. She I didn’t ask my aunt why she had blue numbers couldn’t protect the children. writes her phone number on her arm on her arm; I asked my mother. Can’t we protect them, even so she won’t forget it.” now? Genocide had taught Mummy to “Auntie has a bad memory. She writes her phone “Slodka, sweetheart.” My be a quick and clever liar. “But the number on her arm so she won’t forget it.” mother became uncharacter- numbers don’t come off! What hap- istically gentle. She placed pens if she moves?!” her worn hands on my soft, A woman who had outwitted the Gestapo had no answer for me. unmarked arm. “How do you know?” When Mum was stumped, she’d change the subject. When Mum “I don’t know,” was my answer to my parents and my relatives and was stumped, I’d allow her to. above all, to the ancestors who had risen out of the ether and were A year later, we were gathered at my aunt’s kitchen table when my hovering over Cesia’s kitchen table. “I just know we’re not suppose to little brother blurted, “Auntie, how come you got little blue numbers ask.” Wednesday, April 1, 2015, THE JEWISH POST & NEWS 33 Feature story

The Unlawful Class of 1960 Last year there Third Year, when we had were over a thou- our first (and last) moot By sand applicants to court, presided over by Robson Hall, rookie lecturer, Cliff located on the Fort Edwards. The law school’s Gary Campus of newest full time staff mem- the University of ber, who eventually BILL MARANTZ Manitoba, and became dean, was a less than 10% straight-laced Brit who had were accepted, almost half of whom were just arrived from some for- female. In 1956, when the Manitoba Law mer British colony, where School occupied the third floor of the Law he’d been a magistrate. Courts Building on Broadway, there were 36 Professor Edwards had applicants (including two women), all of instructed us that the prop- whom were accepted. er procedure when arguing Today, it is quite an achievement to get into a case was to first introduce law school; in my day the only entrance yourself to the court. So Gil requirements were two years of university Goodman, acting for the and a pulse. Even when it was discovered, a plaintiff, rose from the few weeks into the year, that my high school counsel table, and Front row: “Broadway” Jack Montgomery, Ian Jessiman, Saul buddy, Murray Zaslov, had doctored his tran- addressed “Justice Froomkin, Art Braid, Gil Goodman, Blair MacAuley, Bill Marantz. script, he wasn’t disqualified. I don’t know Edwards” who was occupy- 2nd row: Lenny Weinberg, Bill Riley, Herb Rosner, Joe Wilder, Saul what kind of B.S. Zaz fed the dean, but I ing the bench. “Good “Shelley” Zitzerman, Al Ross, Don Orchard, Murray Zaslov, Gord guess Pete Tallin figured anyone who had the morning, M’lord. My name McTavish. chutzpah to change a failing grade to a pass- is Spalding. I believe you’ve 3rd row: Bill Morton, Paul Glowaki, Manly Goldberg, Andy Balkarin, ing grade (courtesy Wite-Out) then tried to played with my balls.” Dick Parr. talk his way out of it had the makings of a Some years later Gil Last row: Frank Lamont, Andy Comeau, Harry Backlin. future lawyer. would prove to be an equal- In those days the legal profession was still ly effective advocate for the an “old boy’s club” but our class was more Crown. A few weeks after he had been made of an “overgrown” boy’s club (the two “girls” a provincial prosecutor, Magistrate Tupper dropped out after First Year). Apart from a took the unprecedented action of making a handful of classmates who were serious phone call to the Attorney General with a about their chosen profession we were all personal request: “Get this guy out of my going through the motions. Two notable court!” Gil spent the next few decades exceptions were E. Arthur Braid and Andrew putting in time at the Attorney General’s Clarence Balkaran, whose work ethic was department, in one capacity or another, and virtually the only thing they had in common. was eventually appointed to the Federal Art was a boyish, freckle-faced redhead bench. who, in spite of being a paraplegic, had the Which by no means made him unique. Six vitality of the Energizer Bunny and Andy was members of the class of ’60 became judges a soft-spoken 32- -year old Trinidadian who (roughly 20%) and three were sent to jail (a had worked at several jobs (including CNR little less than 10%). And there was no way porter) before opting for the legal profession. of predicting who would end up where. His wife arrived in Canada the year he Well, almost no way. Ben Hewak, retired enrolled in law school. Art and Andy were Chief Justice of the Court of Queens Bench, neck-and-neck in the Gold Medal race wasn’t the world’s most gifted scholar but he through all four years. Art was the front run- worked hard and was one of the more com- ner but Andy nosed him out at the wire. petent Crown Attorneys in the province. It was poetic justice because I had “stolen” According to rumor it was Benny’s North the Isbister Scholarship (second highest End buddy (Senator) Nate Nurgi,tz who standing) from Andy in First Year. The cash secured his elevation to the Chief Justiceship prize ($90 if memory serves) was to go at the eleventh hour. Apparently the towards the purchase of text books and Andy Mulroney Government was all set to confer had been disqualified because he’d told the post on Justice John Scollin, a volatile “Colonel” Harvey Streight, the comptroller, Scotchman who’d been a star prosecutor, that he wasn’t returning to school in the fall. when Nate pointed out that it wouldn’t go So I was awarded “Place” money, even down too well with local voters to choose a though I was the “Show” horse...which was carpetbagger when there still a hell of a long shot. was a hometown “What the hell is Marantz doing up there?” Ukrainian boy available. Bill Riley exclaimed, when the marks were The rumor is given cre- posted. It was a good question. Like every dence by the announce- other member of our “luncheon club” I ment in the Winnipeg Free Best Wishes for a couldn’t have found the law library, which Press, following the was just down the hall, without a map. “You appointment, in which a Happy Passover didn’t do any more work than I did,” Riley photo of John Scollin said, accusingly. appears above Chief Justice “Yes, but I’m a lot smarter than you,” I said, Hewak’s biography. accurately. How Benny’s study-mate, William Pitt Riley, a dyed-in-the-wool Saul Froomkin, the class Gord South End WASP, would marry a Jewish girl, clown, got to be Attorney Mackintosh Beverley Zevin, and develop a taste for her General of Bermuda, I have mother’s cooking. One day he went to no idea. Of course it was MLA for St. Johns Oscar’s Delicatessen for lunch, ordered no surprise that Art Braid chopped liver, and was disappointed to dis- became dean of the U of M 204-582-1550 cover it wasn’t that same as his mother-in- law faculty or that Harry GordMackintosh.ca law’s. “Where’s the greev’n?” he said, indig- Backlin (né Backwich) nantly, when the plate was set in front of him. would spend a few years in As I’ve hinted, the class of ’60 was not the Stoney Mountain for his cream of the academic crop. More like the role in “The Great Gold denizens of “Animal House.” One memo- Robbery.” But that’s a story rable educational experience took place in for another column... 34 THE JEWISH POST & NEWS, Wednesday, April 1, 2015 Passover feature

The 10 real plagues of Passover By NERYS COPELOVITZ (Kveller via JTA) – Each year, the thought of Passover makes me want to run away. It’s a labor-intensive, heavy-on-the-sighing holiday, espe- cially in Israel. The traditions and message are nourishing, but for me they get lost in the pre-holiday hype, in the burden of preparation, and in the myriad prohibitions that turn us back into disgruntled slaves. If the 10 biblical plagues paved the way for the Israelites liberation, the 10 modern plagues of Passover have me reaching for my passport and looking for a simpler way to celebrate freedom.

1. We go over the top. We can’t just have a cozy little family meal, tell an epic story, and go home to eat unleavened bread for a week – no. We have to clean our houses from top to bottom, buy new clothes, change our cutlery, crockery and cooking utensils, buy presents (huh?), prepare and eat a feast extraordinaire with a huge crowd of rel- atives, and take the kids out for an adventure every day of the holiday! This is meant to celebrate our liberty?

2. Everyone complains the whole time. Women complain about cleaning and men complain about the women cleaning. Everyone complains about the shopping, cooking, food, indigestion, traffic products, forcing you to wander around searching out your groceries jams, family, and the long school vacation. Another glass of whine like a dysfunctional GPS. Then comes last-minute shopping with the please! multitudes, not to mention the Mother Hubbard’s Bare Cupboard of a store during the festivities. 3. Supermarket hell. Straight after Purim, supermarkets completely reorganize their shelves to make room for the Kosher for Passover Continued on next page. Wednesday, April 1, 2015, THE JEWISH POST & NEWS 35 Passover feature

afikomen, and the pride and prejudice when it’s your little one’s turn to ask the Four Questions. So, this year, I will not run away, but say Chag Sameach and L’Chaim. Kveller is a thriving community of women and parents who convene online to share, celebrate, and commiserate their experiences of rais- ing kids through a Jewish lens. Visit Kveller.com.

Continued from previous page. 4. And a healthy dose of guilt for me, please. Passover is like manna from heaven for charities; they go into turbo-charged overdrive, inundating us with texts, calls, collections in the supermarket, at school, at work, and at shul. And we should help, the cost of all that food is staggering.

5. The “Most-es” competition. Who painted their house from top to bottom as well as cleaning? Who’s more kosher? Who has more guests? Who slaved the longest and cooked the most dishes? And the winner is …

6. The traffic jam shuffle. Evening of the seder in Israel, and it feels like it would be quicker to make the exit from Egypt to the desert via the Red Sea than from Tel Aviv to the North. Are we nearly there yet?

7. Seder blues. Who wrote the Haggadah and what were they on at the time? Probably some lawyers who were hoping to confuse us with their long-winded clauses and highfa- lutin language. And let’s be honest, who has the patience to wait for cousin Shmuel to read and interpret every single line when all everyone really cares about is, “When do we eat?!”

8. Just one more matzah ball. Somehow, despite the limited number of foods we can eat, we still manage to stuff ourselves silly, gain weight, and groan about diets. Pass the mufleta. 9. Constipation. It’s a plague. Enough said. 10. Family overdose. Mishpacha, you know we love you, but there’s a limit. You can have too much of a good thing.

And yet, despite the burdens, we will clean and shop and cook and have a BIG FAT Passover, because that’s what we do, and without it we are lost in the wilderness. Whats more, these tribal traditions spawn cherished memories; the annual unveiling of Bubbe’s brisket, our family’s galloping rendi- tion of “Chad Gadya,” the predictable argu- ment over which cousin really found the 36 THE JEWISH POST & NEWS, Wednesday, April 1, 2015 Humour

Hooked on “Hebonics”
 On February 1, is not peculiar to Americans, Aussies or Brits 2006 a revolutionary alone! Barber organizes a long list of By advance in the field “Canadianisms” or “CaE’s” according to such of ESL (English as a factors as spelling, meaning and specific Second Language) regions where they are most commonly used. occurred with a lot Here are some interesting examples from her of fanfare and cele- chapter on colloquialisms: “A “rubber” in the SHARON bration. The school U.S. and Canada is slang for a “condom”; MELNICER board of Greater however, in Canada it is sometimes another New York officially term for “eraser” (as it is in the United declared Jewish-English - dubbed Kingdom) and, in the plural, for “overshoes”

 
“Hebonics” - as a second language. or “galoshes”. Backers of the move say the city’s School In the same vein is “pissed” , which in the    District is the first in the state to recognize U.S. means “angry” but in Canada usually     Hebonics as a valid language and significant means “drunk”; the Canadian equivalent to attribute of New York culture. Educators the American usage most often requires the throughout the entire US believe that an context “pissed off”, although the “off” is not important precedent has been set and that mandatory. Similarly, “pissed up” means school districts in such cities as Miami, Palm “(got) drunk” and the phrase “it was a real Springs, Los Angeles and Chicago will soon piss-up” means that everybody involved follow. Canadian ESL teachers predict that became really inebriated. Vancouver, Toronto, Winnipeg and Montreal The terms “booter” and “soaker” refer to are sure to be part of this visionary trend. getting water in one’s shoe. The former is gen- According to Howard Schollman, erally more common in the prairies, the latter renowned Hebonics scholar, who is a lin- guistics professor at the New York Campus and a guest lecturer at universities throughout Thus the response to a remark the world, the sentence structure of Hebonics such as: “He’s slow as a turtle,” derives from middle and eastern European language patterns, as well as Yiddish. could be the more colourful Professor Schollman explains, “In Hebonics, and expressive phrase “Turtle, the response to any question is usually anoth- er question plus a complaint that is implied shmurtle! Like a fly in Vaseline or stated. Thus: “How are you?” may be he walks.” answered, “How should I be, with my lousy feet?” You’re probably wondering how the term, in the rest of Canada. “Hebonics”, came to be coined. The The word “bum” can refer either to the but- Canadian Oxford Dictionary (2004 - second tocks (as in Britain), or, derogatorily, to a edition), edited by Katherine Barber, provides homeless person (as in the U.S.). However, us with some illumination. Not to put the cart the “buttocks” sense does not have the inde- before the horse, let us begin with the term cent character it retains in British and “Ebonics”. “Ebonics” is defined as ” a non- Australasian use, as it is commonly used as a standard form of African-American English or polite or childish euphemism for ruder words vernacular English, also known colloquially such as butt, arse (commonly used in Atlantic as Jive or Black English. Canada and among older people in Ontario An illustrative example is the term, and to the west), or ass (more idiomatic “Whasup?” or “ Whassup?” which means, in among younger people west of the Ottawa standard English, “How are things going?” River)?. [Barber, Katherine, editor (2004). The We Canucks have our own unique ways of Canadian Oxford Dictionary, second edition. speaking English, as well. The phenomenon Toronto: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19- 541816-6.] Schollman points out that Hebonics is a superb, linguistic vehicle for expressing sarcasm or skepticism while making a valid point. Without being overly forceful or rude, an individual is able to express incredulity with an amusing rhyme, thus putting his conversational partner at ease. An example is the repetition of a word with “sh” or “shm” at the beginning: “Mountains, shmountains. Stay away from high places. You want to get a nosebleed?” Another Hebonics pattern Schollman discusses is that of moving the subject of a sentence to the end, with its pronoun at the beginning.
  One simple example would be “It’s beautiful, that dress. You look like a princess.” Another might be “It’s a mess, your nose- job. Your face looks like a tire-

Continued on next page. Wednesday, April 1, 2015, THE JEWISH POST & NEWS 37 Humour

Continued from previous page. iron.” what else is new?” Schollman says one also com- monly sees the Hebonics verb moved to the end of the sentence. To sum up, Hebonics has a rare quality few other languages have. A Thus the response to a remark such as: “He’s slow as a turtle,” could simple Hebonic phrase can simultaneously ask a question, make a be the more colourful and expressive phrase “Turtle, shmurtle! Like a statement, pronounce a judgment, elicit a response and act as a vehi- fly in Vaseline he walks.” Once again we see the Hebonic penchant cle for social change, all in the space and time it takes to order a cup for rhyming, a poetic device that adds flair and verve to an otherwise of coffee. mundane reply. The conversational and reflective nature of Hebonics forces both the speaker and the listener to respond to the creative scenario that Professor Schollman provides the following examples from his text- unfolds with the conversation itself. Thus, Hebonics has the power to book, Hooked on Hebonics, to give us several more illustrations as to shape our world as it serves to ease the ebb and flow of communica- how Hebonics can easily be used in everyday life. The flexibility of the tion between us. language surpasses that of ordinary English by far,” Shollman declares. It is Howard “While providing a response, at the same time, the Hebonic answer Schollman’s dream becomes a pointed tool with which to gather information and widen that perhaps one day experience. It’s a way of personalizing communication and relating to Hebonics will be the the other speaker in an altogether new and meaningful way.” A vivid universal language, illustration of this follows in a well-used phrase that implies concern that ties between and sympathy. nations will be Remark: “I hope things turn out okay.” English response: “Thanks.” strengthened and Hebonic response: “I should BE so lucky!” renewed, that world harmony, so distant We commonly hear the following remark in kitchens and dining now, will finally be
           rooms throughout the country. within our grasp.     
  Remark: “Hurry up. Dinner’s ready.” English response: “Be right there.” Hebonic response: “Alright already, I’m coming. What’s with the ‘hurry’ business? Is there a fire?” (As an added bonus, this second question, so characteristic of Hebonics, serves as a the catalyst for an infor- mative and stimulating dinner conversation as

Remark: “I like the tie you gave me; I wear it all the time.” English response: “Glad you like it.” Hebonic response: “So what’s the matter; you don’t like the other ties I gave you?” fires, their prevention, their occurrence and their cause ‘spark up’ an otherwise dull mealtime.) Here’s a twist to gift giving and the usual expression of thanks that follows. Notice how much more embracing and inclusive the Hebonic response is. Remark: “I like the tie you gave me; I wear it all the time.” English response: “Glad you like it.” Hebonic response: “So what’s the matter; you don’t like the other ties I gave you?” What about another common exchange that occurs when a couple in love has decided to tie the knot? Remark: “Sarah and I are engaged.” English response: “Congratulations!” Hebonic response: “She could stand to gain a few pounds. Her wedding dress will hang on her like wet drapes.” Professor Schollman has no shortage of illustrations. Here are a few selections from his chapter titled: “Handy Hebonics in Everyday Life” (Chapter 9): Regarding a horseback ride in the country - Question: “Would you like to go riding with us?” English answer: “Just say when.” Hebonic answer: “Riding, shmiding! Do I look like a cowboy?” (Once again, note the inclusion of a whimsical rhyme) To the guest of honor at his birthday party - English remark: “Happy birthday.” Hebonic remark: “A year smarter YOU should also become.

An innocent observation about the weath- er- Remark: “A beautiful day.” English response: “Sure is.” Hebonic response: “So the sun is out; so 38 THE JEWISH POST & NEWS, Wednesday, April 1, 2015 Feature story

When Jews found refuge in underground warren at Warsaw Zoo By CNAAN LIPHSHIZ guarding the WARSAW (JTA) – In a carriage bound for the Warsaw Zoo, Moshe Kierbedzia Bridge Tirosh could sense his parents’ fear and the strong odor of alcohol separating the fami- wafting from the direction of the driver and his horse. ly’s home from the The trepidation that rainy night in 1940 was from the Nazi soldiers zoo where they hoped to find shel- ter. As for the smell, it was the result of a successful ruse designed by Tirosh’s father to get them there safely. His father, a car- penter, had instruct- ed the driver to douse himself with vodka so the Nazi guards on the Wishing all our bridge, aware of German stereotypes friends and clients a about Polish drink- ing habits, would wave them through Happy Passover! without inspection. “The risk was JAN ZABINSKI, the director of the Warsaw enormous, but my Zoo, helped shelter hundreds of Jews during parents knew that the Holocaust. (Wikimedia Commons) our only chance of survival was getting to that zoo,” recalled Tirosh, 78. Tirosh is one of 300 Jews whose lives were saved thanks to the lit- tle-known heroism of the menagerie’s director, Jan Zabinski, and his wife, Antonina. A lieutenant in the Polish resistance, Zabinski shel- tered the Jews in underground pathways connecting the animal cages. 9th Floor - 400 St. Mary Ave | Winnipeg, Manitoba | R3C 4K5 | p: 204.949.1312 | www.tmlawyers.com Continued on next page.

Personal Injury & Class Action Law www.callkleinlawyers.com Wednesday, April 1, 2015, THE JEWISH POST & NEWS 39 Feature story

Continued from previous page. He also used the zoo to store But he is not traveling to Poland for the museum opening to talk arms for the resistance. about Polish society. A meticulous scientist whose curt style could sometimes come “I’m just going to pay homage to the couple that saved my life,” he across as uncourteous, Zabinski also cut an intimidating figure. said. “When Zabinski gave an order, people did what he said,” said Jan- Maciej Rembiszewski, the zoo’s director from 1982 to 2006, who began volunteering there after the war. “I’m sure even the Nazis respected his authoritarian style, which allowed him to run the place as his own fiefdom.” Next month Tirosh, who now lives in Israel, will return to the zoo for the opening of a museum celebrating the Zabinskis’ heroism. In an interview at his home in Karmiel, Tirosh, a retired career officer in the Israel Defense Forces, recalls having a much different reaction to Antonina, a cheerful teacher who enjoyed painting and playing the piano. “I was only 3 1/2 years old, but I was already a suspicious war child out of the ghetto trained in keeping quiet for hours,” recalled Tirosh, whose parents told him to pray loudly to Jesus if he was ever seen alone by strangers lest he be taken for a Jew. “But when I saw Antonina, I told my mother, ‘I think we’ll be alright here.’” Tirosh spent three weeks at the zoo, where he lived in a windowless underground room with his younger sister receiving food from the Zabinskis and their son, Ryszard. For safety reasons, Tirosh’s parents stayed in a different chamber in the underground maze. By the time Tirosh reached the zoo, many of the animals had been killed – some in hunting parties that Nazi officers held there – or shipped off to German zoos. Determined to keep the zoo running because of its value for the resistance, Zabinski turned it into a pig farm, according to “The Zookeeper’s Wife,” a 2007 book about the Zabinskis. Sometimes Zabinski would smuggle pig meat into the Jewish ghetto, where the prohibition on its consumption had been largely abandoned because of a Nazi starvation policy that had Jews living on a diet of 187 calo- ries a day. At the zoo, Antonina communicated with her Jewish guests through a musical code, Tirosh recalls. “She played for us one piano tune and told us to sit tight and be very quiet if we heard that music, and then another tune to indicate the danger was over,” he said. One day, Antonina gave Tirosh and his sister red hair dye to hide their natural black hair and make them look less Jewish. When the children emerged from the bathroom, Antonina’s son said they looked like squirrels, which became their code name. Tirosh says his confinement at the zoo was one of the few periods during the war when he remembers no pain or suffering. After leaving the zoo, Tirosh and his sister went to live with Christian foster families, where he suffered abuse and disease and nearly died. After the war, Tirosh was reunited with his family. His father died of a heart attack in 1948 and the rest of the family immigrated to Israel in 1957. Antonina died in 1971 and her husband in 1974. The Yad Vashem Holocaust museum in Jerusalem recognized both Zabinskis as Righteous Among the Nations in 1965. The new museum, in which visitors can tour the Zabinskis’ old villa at the zoo and the ren- ovated maze of tunnels, also includes the piano on which Antonina warned her charges Happiness, peace andd prosperityprospspperityrity of approaching Nazis. “This museum is not going to be a huge one, but from a commemoration point of view it’s Pitblado lawyers live by core valuesess that guidegu our ddeccisionsi among the most important of its kind because each and every day. Those values includenclude commitment commitme of the target audience – children,” said Jonny Daniels, the founder of From The Depths, a to family and special occasions, anddweddw we enjoy y honouring honourinhonou ngg Holocaust commemoration organization that those events with familyy,, friends,friends, andan clients. initiated the museum project together with the Panda Foundation, the zoo’s charitable arm. “More than another town-square monument to nameless rescuers of Jews, here we have a The Partners, Associates, and staff at Pitblado Law wish everyoneyone tangible story of bravery at a place frequented a Happy Passover filled with meaning, joy, and renewal. by children and possibly also groups visiting Holocaust sites who will be able to experi- ence one of Warsaw’s most beautiful places.” In recent years, plans to erect monuments in Warsaw for rescuers of Jews have stirred debate in Poland, with some critics charging that the emphasis on rescue serves to white- wash widespread Polish complicity in the annihilation of the country’s Jews. Tirosh shares those concerns. Polish society, 2500 – ÎÈäÊ >ˆ˜Ê-ÌÀiiÌÊUÊ7ˆ˜˜ˆ«i}]Ê >˜ˆÌœL>ÊUÊ,Î Ê{ÈÎÈäÊÊ >ˆ˜ -ÌÀiiÌ ÊÊU 7ˆ˜˜ˆ«i}] Ê >˜ˆÌœL> ÊÊÊU ,Î {È he says, exhibited a “deep-rooted anti- www.pitblado.com * œ˜i\Ê­Óä{®Ê™xÈ* œ˜i\ÊÊ­Óä{® ™xÈ-äxÈäÊUÊ “>ˆ\ÊÊwÀ“J«ˆÌL>`œ°Vœ“äxÈä ÊÊÊÊU “>ˆ\ wÀ“J«ˆÌL>`œ°Vœ“ Semitism that fit very nicely with the Nazi ÊÊÊÊJ*ˆÌL>`œ>ÜÊÊÊÊJ*ˆÌL>`œ>Ü plans for annihilation.” 40 THE JEWISH POST & NEWS, Wednesday, April 1, 2015 Passover feature

Yazidi Winnipegger calls for international community to save her people By MYRON LOVE Naso outlined the events of last sum- Nafiya Naso is calling on the international mer which led to the current desperate community to take action to save her people. plight of perhaps 100,000 Yazidis in Speaking to a capacity crowd of close to 100 Iraq. in the Adult Lounge at the Asper Campus on Last June, in a lightning military cam- Tuesday, March 24, Naso, one of about 175 paign, ISIS forces captured the north- Yazidis living in Winnipeg, spoke about the western city of Mosul in Yazidi territory. thousands-year history of her people, their In August, ISIS moved on the numerous beliefs and the hell that is being visited on Yazidi villages near Mosul and quickly them by the Sunni Muslim extremist group overran them, despite assurances to the that goes by the name, the Islamic States of Yazidis by the nearby Kurds and the Iraq and Syria (ISIS, also known in the Arab Iraqi government that they would be World as DAESH). safe in their villages. “What the Yazidi People are experiencing is Up to 150,000 Yazidis were trapped. outright genocide,” said the Red River Many fled to nearby Mt. Sinjar, where College graduate and mother of two, who they were stuck for a week with no has become a spokesperson for her people. shade, food or water. “Under International Law, the act of geno- NAFIYA NASO and DAVID MATAS As to those who were not able to cide requires governments to intervene to escape the ISIS forces, most men were save lives.” Naso’s presentation was sponsored by the murdered, boys were converted to Islam and Winnipeg Friends of Israel, a recently formed sent to Madrasses, while girls and women grass-roots advocacy group in Winnipeg, were raped and sold into sex slavery through- along with the Jewish Federation of out the Middle East. Winnipeg. Naso accompanied her talk with videos The Yazidis, who number only a few hun- that were difficult to watch. In one, a group of dred thousand and live largely in northwest- young Yazidi men were being converted en ern Iraq, have faced centuries of persecution, masse to Islam. She reported that after the Naso noted. The principal reason for their conversion, they were all murdered. persecution is their religious practices – a A second video featured teenaged Yazidi potpourri of Muslim, Christian, Jewish and girls bearing witness to rape and sex slavery. Zoroastrian beliefs. The Yazidis principally Of the thousands of Yazidis who managed worship an angel who takes the form of a to escape to refugee camps where they face blue peacock. severe deprivation, Naso and her family are Muslims, Naso said, consider the Yazidi to among the lucky ones. The family was spon- be devil worshippers. sored to come to Canada in 2005 by a United Church group. The unfortunate fact for Yazidi refuges stuck in the Middle East, noted David Matas (who also spoke at the event), is that they are among the currently estimated 51 million internally displaced people in the world, the highest number since the end of World War II. And while any group of at least five indi- viduals can sponsor a refugee family, he noted, there are practical questions about how to get refuges like the Yazidis out of war zones. One conundrum, the well know refugee lawyer pointed out, is that in order to qualify to come to Canada, Yazidis refugees would first have to sit through an interview with Happy Passover to all our Canadian Embassy officials. The problem is that the nearest Canadian Embassy is in Turkey and the Turks won’t give friends and clients. Yazidis visas to enter Turkey. Also, it is too dangerous for Canadian con- sular officials to try to reach refugee camps in From sophisticated and comprehensive requirements Syria and Iraq. One suggestion that Matas made was that of business enterprises to the personal needs of individuals, Embassy officials could conduct the inter- we understand that the greater the need, views over the phone or via Skype. “The Canadian Government is 10-20 years behind the more experience matters. the times electronically,” he commented. During his own presentation, Matas noted that religious and ethnic minorities through- out the Middle East and North Africa are treated badly – the one exception being minorities in Israel – and that ISIS stands out as being worse than any other group or gov- ernment. In introducing the evening, Patrick Elazar, the chair of Winnipeg Friends of Israel’s out- reach committee, noted that the purpose of WFI is to educate people in the greater com- munity, correct falsehoods about Israel that are reported in the media and reach out to other communities such as the Yazidis. Wednesday, April 1, 2015, THE JEWISH POST & NEWS 41 Profile

Ardith Henoch: Awakening body and spirit By REBECA with some amazing soul sisters, the experience really became some- KUROPATWA thing beautiful, heart opening, and creative.” It was in Israel in the After the project, Henoch once again returned to Canada. She spiritually endowed and entered into a marriage, gave birth to two daughters, and, after some beautiful neighbourhood time, a difficult divorce followed. in Jerusalem along Today, Henoch resides off Academy in River heights with her two Machanai Yeudah children, Emunah (7) and Matanelle (5). called, Nachlaot that “My poet spirit and gypsy feet have always led me on my path,” said Ardith Henoch (41) first Henoch. “At times, this path has not been easy, but it’s the road of my felt her soul sing. heart and soul.” “I felt light reflect off Henoch currently works as an educational assistant at the Gray ancient stones,” said Academy of Jewish Education, gearing up for her next step in life – Henoch of the experi- helping others connect to God and the universe through Reiki and ence. “This is where my Yoga for kids. muse was waiting for “Yoga, to me, is not about postures and flexibility,” said Henoch. me. I met my soul friends “Flexibility is a metaphor and outcome of how flexible and open you within these twisted are being with yourself, reacting or not reacting in the universe, your alleyways and blue rust- power, and being able to stand balanced and strong when the hard ed gates, and I found winds hit. I’ve known some hard winds and the yoga way has really home.” saved me on so many levels.” A graduate of Joseph Henoch greatly credits Jana from Yoga on Corydon for helping her Wolinsky Collegiate in ARDITH HENOCH (photo by Emunah 1991, Henoch travelled Henoch Bitton). Continued on next page. to Israel with her gradu- ating class and there she stayed. For her first year living in Israel, Henoch attended a women’s yeshivah in Jerusalem, and later spent a little time on a religious kib- butz before making Aliyah. She left Israel in 1998 with the intention of returning after a brief visit in Canada, but life took her in a different Ardith Henoch and Matanelle Henoch direction. It took her a Bitton (photo by Emunah Henoch Bitton). few years before she found her way back to Israel as part of the Arad Art Project, with WUJS (World Union of Jewish Students). “It was an amaz- ing artistic experi- ence, writing and painting in the midst of the Judean Desert,” said Henoch. “At first, I wasn’t sure about the topography or the living situation at the absorption centre in the small town of Arad. But,

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Transgender teen comes out in emotional ceremony

By DREW HIMMELSTEIN receiving a new name. (j. weekly) – In the middle of the school day “I am no longer Mia. I never really was. on March 13, the community at Tehiyah Day And now I finally stand before you in my true School in El Cerrito, Calif., gathered to give a and authentic gender identity as Tom,” he said. “I stand before you as a 13-year-old boy.” In front of friends, teachers, parents and sis- ters, Tom, a transgender student, publicly came out as a boy. He received his new name, Tom Chai Sosnik – Tom, meaning “innocent” in Hebrew, and Chai, meaning “life.” He huddled under a tallit with his par- ents and sister to be blessed by the Jewish day school’s rabbi, Tsipi Gabai. Afterward, classmates formed a circle around him and danced. It’s hard to imagine he could have Rabbi Tsipi Gabai (left) blesses Tom, his par- had a better welcome. ents and sister. Photo/misha bruk “There was not a dry eye in our beit midrash [house of learning],” said Elise Prowse, Tehiyah’s interim head of school, boy his name. who had participated in a months-long planning process with Tom Happy The boy in ques- and his family leading up to his coming out. “For us at Tehiyah, this is Passover tion was a bit older really part of our dedication and commitment to inclusion.” than is typical in a Since the ceremony at the San Francisco-area school nearly two naming ceremony. weeks ago, Tom’s story has gone viral. A YouTube video of his speech Wearing a white had been viewed more than 54,000 times as of March 24, and his button-down shirt, story has been featured on the Huffington Post, Cosmopolitan, E! gray slacks and red Online, Out Magazine and other national news outlets. Tom’s strong,

ERIC SAWYER, BA, CLU LINDSAY SAWYER FAY, BA, sneakers – with red confident statement about his identity and the warm welcome he esf CFP, CHS, CLU and blue patches received from his community have resonated with people across the dyed into the sides country. E. Sawyer Financial of his buzzed hair – “I was pretty sure that I would be accepted, and I was, by everyone,” Suite 615 - 1445 Portage Avenue teenager Tom Sosnik Tom told J. “It was very emotional.” stood at the front of Winnipeg, MB Continued on next page. R3G 3P4 the room and Phone: (204) 984-9940 explained to his 26 Fax: (204) 984-9949 eighth-grade class- Continued from previous page. find her way in life as of late, Email: [email protected] mates why he was describing her as, “one of the greatest yoga teachers I’ve ever known. “Yoga and meditation, to me, is not a religion. It’s a way of life. Many believe it to be a science. It can be incorporated into any reli- gion or belief. That’s why I was so excited to find the amazing peo- ple behind Yoga Yeladim, a children’s yoga program that’s an off- shoot of Kidding Around Yoga.” Kidding Around Yoga was developed by a woman named Hairs Lender who mastered the art of teaching yoga to children. It is also the only Jewish kids’ yoga program in Canada. Henoch has been trained by Yoga Yeladim and continues her train- ing with them. “I feel it’s a perfect fit,” said Henoch. “I’m working on Jewish- themed programs and Hebrew content. This, together with their amazing Jewish music, ideas, and games, is a dream come true.” Henoch has also recently become trained in Reik, an ancient tech- nique for stress reduction and relaxation that promotes healing with roots in Japanese healing. While spending time in Boulder, Colorado over this past year, Henoch had the opportunity to experience “some life altering ener- gy work, receiving spiritual and diverse healing, and learning through the inspiration of a deep, soulful heart connection.” Reiki is based on the teaching of life force energy and how it flows through us and enables us to live and heal. “I am finding beautiful ways to incorporate my Jewish religious practices within Reiki,” said Henoch. “I feel that the more Reiki I give, the more I receive. Just tonight, in my living room, each of my daughters received a Reiki treatment while listening to Japanese gar- den music. I silently blessed them in Hebrew and they went into bed with the music still playing. Emunah whispered, ‘I wish this never had to end.’ That is why I am on this healing path. “All healing begins and ends with love. First, we must be willing to heal, be gentle, and love our true selves – especially if we’re mothers. It is the greatest gift for our children.” Henoch will be giving free Reiki sessions for women for the next couple of months. For more information, contact her via text or phone at (204)-801-3859. Henoch’s Kidding Around Yoga & Yoga Yeladim (YY) is touted as “the ultimate fusion of Jewish learning, body awareness, and spiri- tual understanding all rolled up into one yoga mat…with lots of fun and original music plus all of the traditional benefits of yoga. YY is stress management for kids.” YY with Ardith classes are available at the Rady JCC as of the spring 2015 session. Wednesday, April 1, 2015, THE JEWISH POST & NEWS 43

Happy Passover Feature story to all my clients, relatives, and friends

Continued from previous ing as a Jewish expression of the transition he page. was making. Since no Jewish ritual exists for naming as Tom started at Tehiyah last part of a gender transition, Gabai was in the year as a seventh-grader. His unique position of getting to create one. family had lived in Fresno but “I reached back into traditional Judaism,” moved to Oakland to find a Gabai said of her efforts to cobble one more welcoming community together. for Tom, who was being bul- At the ceremony, she told a story from the Joyce Rykiss lied at school. When he was Baal Shem Tov, then talked about how the in the sixth grade, Tom still Talmud says everyone has three names: the identified as female, but his one their parents give them, the one their appearance didn’t conform to friends give them and, the most important gender expectations and he one, the one they earn for themselves. Using ADVANCED REALTY would be hassled when using the Hebrew phrase that welcomes a baby boy the girls’ bathroom, he said. at his brit milah, or circumcision, people wel- “AIR MILE SPONSORS” “The kids from the school comed Tom to his new life by saying “Baruch would come and be like, Habah” three times. 204-792-9938 ‘You’re in the wrong bath- Tom and his par- room, get out of this bath- ents recited the room, this isn’t your bath- Shehechiyanu Happy Passover to all our friends and clients room,’ “ Tom said. prayer, thanking At Tehiyah, Tom has made TOM SOSNIK at his naming cere- God for allowing Property Real Estate friends and been accepted as mony. Photo/misha brukk them to reach this Management Investments he experimented with his moment, and the gender expression. When he ceremony ended was in seventh grade, he told his parents, Udi and Esti, both born in with everyone pre- Israel, that he identified as a boy. They were immediately supportive. sent chanting the “We see who you are, we love you, we are behind you,” Esti remem- Birkhat Kohanim Cal Reich, BA, RPA Ext. 2229 bers saying to him. “He is the most loved kid you’ve ever seen. His sis- (priestly blessing) ters are crazy after him and we are, too. So he gets a lot of love and together. #209 - 2211 McPhillips St., Winnipeg, Manitoba, R2V 3M5 support.” Since the ceremo- P: (204) 338-4671 • F: (204) 339-2823 • E: [email protected] Esti said she wasn’t surprised by the news. Tom had been dressing in ny, Tom has fielded boys’ clothes since he was 5, and she always remembered the day he questions from his put on a brown velvet jacket and bow tie for his school picture in first classmates, which Happy Passover to our grade. he said he feels Friends in the Jewish Community “I was like, ‘You look very handsome, but just so you know, you comfortable answer- might be killed by the way you’re dressed,’ “ Esti remembers telling ing. Prowse said him. He replied confidently, “Excuse me, this is my style, this is how only one family has I dress, and I don’t care what anyone else says.” raised questions Starting in November, Tom and his family began working with about the transition. school officials to plan his coming out as a transgender boy. The The school commu- school invited Gender Spectrum, an education and support organiza- nity has been over- tion about gender identity for children and teenagers, to give work- whelmingly support- shops for the faculty and parents. Tehiyah ive. added a gender-neutral bathroom for Tom to “It was a beautiful use. ritual, and the chil- Box 1470, 56 Centre Street “Yet another reason I, as a parent, love dren were very HAPPY Gimli, MB R0C 1B0 PASSOVER Tehiyah!” someone wrote on Facebook in impressed,” Gabai response to the new bathroom and an said. “Some kids Ph. (204) 642-8501 explanatory email from the school that talked cried from joy.” www.interlake.mb.ca about “core Jewish values” and “kehillah,” or Mario's community. “Our families, teachers and administrators work together to create an environment that is safe, nurturing, inclusive House and welcoming for everyone at Tehiyah. Diversity is part of the foundation of our community.” of Beauty Additionally, Tom’s family consulted with a developmental and clinical psychologist at the University of California, San Francisco, who specializes in child gender identity to help them with the transition. 1855 Main “[Tom] really got to control the message. He got to have it happen the way he wanted to,” Prowse said. “The family really wanted this to be a celebration.” Working with Gabai, Tom, his family and 339-7922 school officials planned the coming-out cer- emony and decided to include a formal nam-

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On election night, remembering when Israelis loved Iran By JULIE WIENER NEW YORK (JTA) – While Israel’s election results were still rolling in, one predominantly
 Jewish audience in New York was watching Israelis talk about  Iran. But the Israelis in the docu- mentary screened Tuesday night at the Center for Jewish History weren’t addressing the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program or the role Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s hard-line approach to it (including his This 2013 documentary tells the little known story about controversial speech before both the thriving Israeli expat community that existed in houses of the U.S. Congress) Tehran prior to the 1979 revolution. might have had in his surprise election victory. shocking, however, is when an Israeli in the midst of the Instead, they were reminiscing revolution relates how he about a short and little-known saved himself from a hostile chapter in Iran-Israel relations: encounter with the Iranian the decade before the 1979 rev- Revolutionary Guard by olution, when the two countries claiming – successfully – to had unofficial diplomatic and be the PLO’s commander in military ties, enabling a vibrant Tehran. Israeli expat community to live While some of the Israelis comfortably in Tehran and were top-level government enjoy luxuries unheard of at the and Mossad officials in close time in the Jewish state such as contact with the shah’s gen- live-in maids, swimming pools erals – and perhaps SAVAK – and disposable diapers. (One most were engineers and woman notes that Pampers was businesspeople involved in hands down the most popular The late Shah of Iran - major building and infra- gift she brought back to friends maintained “excellent structure projects. Shadur’s in Israel.) relations with Israel.” own father oversaw construc- Released in 2013, Dan tion there. The filmmaker, Shadur’s “Before the Revolution” has played now 37, spent the first year of his life in in various film festivals – the Center for Tehran, and his family’s snapshots and Jewish History screening was part of the 18th movies are included in the film. annual New York Sephardic Jewish Film Festival. It has also been broadcast on public Noting Israeli involvement in helping to television in the United States and several modernize Iran’s agriculture, water manage- other countries, including Iran, where it was ment and the construction of dams, one inter- the first Israeli film to air on TV since the rev- viewee said, “We built their country.” olution. (It’s also available for purchase here, Another fondly recalled being rewarded with and Shadur says it will soon be sold at the a “gold-plated Uzi” for persuading the iTunes store as well.) However, this fascinat- Iranian government to buy 50,000 of the ing documentary has not had a wide theatri- Israeli-made submachine guns. cal release in the United States, and no such Ironically, Iran’s nuclear project likely was plans are on the immediate horizon. launched with assistance from Israel, the film contends. In a Q&A session after the screen- That’s a shame because it is a gem of a ing, Shadur said, “If the revolution had been movie. Those interviewed, frequently in postponed a few years, it’s amazing to think voice-overs accompanying Israeli expats’ what [nuclear] capabilities they would have 8mm home movie footage from the 1960s today from Israel.” and ’70s, speak with remarkable candor – and, at times, humor – about their increas- Shadur, who said he was disappointed by ingly awkward role as friends and beneficia- Netanyahu’s victory in Tuesday’s elections ries of Shah Mohammad Reza Pervazi’s (final results were not yet in, but analysts doomed dictatorship. were predicting the Likud leader would pre- “We didn’t know,” “We were young” and vail), told the audience he sees a parallel “We didn’t want to know” are frequent between the Israelis of Iran, who were blind refrains whenever the regime’s to the plight of impoverished Iranians just dark side, particularly its much- outside their north Tehran enclave, and life in feared SAVAK secret police, is today’s Israel, where most Jews are insulated mentioned. from the poverty and other difficulties experi- Happy Passover The film is full of intriguing, enced by Palestinians in Gaza and the West almost surreal anecdotes: two Bank. Israelis accidentally swept up in “I went to people’s houses to interview a student demonstration against them because I wanted to show their sur- the shah; kibbutzniks awkwardly roundings,” he said. “Most are pretty well off offering to help their first-ever and still in a nice environment. They’re talk- Specializing in Rental, Condominium and maid with housework; hordes of ing about their last days in Tehran while in Tel Commercial Property Management Iranians cheering on the Israeli Aviv and, regardless of your politics, there are 2500 Seven Evergreen Place, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3L 2T3 soldiers while viewing an out- still very rough things happening just a few Telephone: (204) 475-9090 Fax: (204) 452-1708 door screening of a film about miles away.” www.scpl.com email: [email protected] the Entebbe raid. The most Wednesday, April 1, 2015, THE JEWISH POST & NEWS 45 Analysis

Netanyahu facing challenges, criticism from Jewish liberals

By RON KAMPEAS WASHINGTON (JTA) – With Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu facing escalat- ing criticism and pressure from the White House, he could use some help from Israel’s erstwhile allies in the American Jewish com- munity – especially those with sway in liber- al and Democratic circles. But several leading Jewish liberal critics of Netanyahu are working to rally American Jewish opinion against him by stepping up their condemnations of the prime minister and calling on the United States to ratchet up the pressure on Israel. Israeli Prime Minister BENJAMIN NETANYAHU waves to supporters at the The epicenter of this liberal Jewish push is party headquarters in Tel Aviv. the annual J Street conference in Washington, where in a speech on Saturday night to 3,000 attendees, the group’s execu- including the American Israel Public Affairs tive director, Jeremy Ben-Ami, accused Committee, the Conference of Presidents of Netanyahu of harming the U.S.-Israel rela- Major American Jewish Organizations and tionship through “partisan gamesmanship” the Anti-Defamation League – were quick to and called on the Obama administration to embrace Netanyahu’s post-election insis- put forth the parameters for a resolution to tence. AIPAC criticized the Obama adminis- the conflict at the U.N. Security Council. tration for having “rebuffed” the prime minis- Ben Ami’s remarks came days after another ter’s efforts to put relations with the United harsh Netanyahu critic, Peter Beinart, called States back on track. for the Obama administration to “punish” But Denis McDonough, the White House Israel on several fronts – including by backing chief of staff who spoke Monday at the J Palestinian “bids” at the United Nations and Street conference, held his ground. denying visas to and freezing the assets of “We cannot simply pretend that those com- Israeli settler leaders. Beinart also urged ments were never made, or that they don’t American Jews to ensure that Netanyahu and raise questions about the prime minister’s members of his Cabinet are met with protest- commitment to achieving peace through ers at Jewish events. direct negotiations,” McDonough told J Street. Locks s Keys s Safes While more establishment liberal and cen- trist Jewish organizations show no signs of Netanyahu has also sought to contain the writing off the prime minister or endorsing damage from his Election Day appeal to sup- such aggressive steps, some have expressed porters to counter the “droves” of Arabs concerns about Netanyahu’s 11th-hour cam- heading to the polls. Netanyahu said he did paign tactics – specifically his vow that no not intend to suppress Arab voters, only to Palestinian state would be established on his inspire his base, and on Tuesday he apolo- Happy Passover watch and his urging supporters to counter gized directly to a group of Arab-Israeli lead- The Key to Security for 100 Years the “droves” of Arabs coming out to vote. ers gathered at his residence in Jerusalem. Leaders of the two largest religious streams Yet even as Netanyahu sought to defuse the 942-3703 s 249 Notre Dame Ave in American Judaism, the Reform and controversy over his remarks, reports suggest- Conservative movements, both issued state- ed that the makeup of his emerging coalition ments last week condemning Netanyahu’s could keep U.S.-Israeli tensions boiling on comments about Arab-Israeli voters. several fronts. “Because we proudly and unreservedly The first party he invited into the govern- continue our unflagging support for the State ment was Jewish Home, which rejects a of Israel, its citizens and its values, we must Palestinian state. Another likely coalition condemn the prime minister’s statement, sin- partner, Avigdor Liberman’s Yisrael Beiteinu, gling out Arab citizens for exercising their who recently said that disloyal Arab-Israelis legitimate right to vote,” the Conservative should be beheaded. The coalition govern- movement’s Rabbinical Assembly said in a ment is also likely to include include haredi statement Thursday. “It is incumbent upon Orthodox parties, whose rejection of non- Jews around the world to denounce the prime Orthodox streams has been a cause of ten- minister’s divisive and undemocratic state- sion with U.S. Jews for decades. ment and we do so here.” Rabbi Rick Jacobs, the president of the Still, the mood at the J Street conference Union for Reform Judaism, called the state- was one of jubilance in defeat, as speaker ment “disheartening” and a “naked appeal to after speaker spoke of “clarity” now that his hard-right base’s fears rather than their Netanyahu had repudiated the two-state solu- hopes.” tion. “There’s more fuel in advocacy movements For his part, Netanyahu moved quickly when you’re fired up in opposition to some- post-election to contain the damage from his thing,” Ben-Ami told JTA. pre-election remarks, holding interviews with One star of the conference was Stav Shaffir, several U.S. media outlets in which he insist- the 29-year old Labor Party member whose ed that he remains committed to a two-state pre-election Knesset speech accusing solution but circumstances do not allow for Netanyahu’s government of abdicating one because of Palestinian intransigence and Zionist leadership by neglecting the margin- ongoing turmoil across the region. In a sign alized went viral online. that Netanyahu was seeking to send the word Saying her message to J Street was one of out beyond his conservative base, the prime hope, Shaffir told reporters that when she minister not only did an interview with Fox encountered a depressed conference-goer, News, but talked with two leading liberal she counseled activism. media outlets, MSNBC and NPR. “I don’t accept despair as a political strate- Several mainstream centrist organizations – gy,” she said. 46 THE JEWISH POST & NEWS, Wednesday, April 1, 2015 Harry Warren

We are seniors Chapter no. 66

By

HARRY WARREN It’s been a while since my last chapter. Frankly my computer wasn’t responding until my nephew, Gordon Laiken, a computer whiz from Toronto, was visiting us in Arizona and fixed the problem! Then it was a toss up between a discussion Henry Fonda and Katherine Hepburn in a scene from “On on the health benefits for Golden Pond”, one of Harry’s favourite movies of all time. seniors of a regular walk- ing program or one of my favourites, a night salesman. He meets Aitana, by chance, and at the movies. The latter won out for now! he joins her as she returns to her family’s Recently we viewed “On Golden Pond” vineyard. There are some breathtaking scenes with Katharine Hepburn, Henry Fonda and as he joins her family to try to save the vine- Jane Fonda. Henry Fonda plays the part of an yard from a killer frost. Quinn adds a humor- 
 
 aging, irascible octogenarian, who ventures ous touch as Aitana’s Grandfather. $-+) to his summer cottage on “Golden Pond” to The fourth movie I enjoyed was “The Millagro Beanfield War”. This takes place in a celebrate his 80th birthday! Incidentally this was Fonda’s last movie small Mexican town in New Mexico. The before he passed away. His wife, played by town is about to be overrun by a large Land %")#!$ (!$"!#!( Development Company. A small Mexican )#3&1*'31(.+(0/'+*..'*3#
 Katherine Hepburn, who also has some health problems, joins him for a humorous, farmer dares to challenge the big
+-4#-'/ Corporation, by diverting some of their water 0'**',#% #& # and sad escapade. Presently they are joined by their prodigal daughter, played by Jane to irrigate his bean field. The rest is a humor- $  ous account which includes the town’s 111-1*41((,(0)2'*%3+) Fonda, her dentist boyfriend and his nine- year-old precocious son! The rest is a beauti- myopic sheriff and his pet pig! ful and humorous love story. For those of you Then there is the story about the bum who who have had the good fortune to visit any of begs a man for a five dollar bill. the lakes in the Whiteshell Provincial Park, it The man replies, “If I give you the five dollars, will bring back some fond memories of just what will you do with it? Will you spend it on how beautiful and breathtaking the scenery cigarettes?” in this picture really is! And listen to the “No”, comes the reply. Happy “Will you spend it on booze?” sound of the loon! The second movie I would definitely rec- “No.” PASSOVER ommend is “ Pretty Woman” with Richard “Will you spend it on a Football Game?” Gere and Julia Roberts. He is a successful “No”. corporate raider who meets Julia, a prostitute, “Let me take you home to my wife and show quite by chance in L.A. (Los Angeles) .The her what happens to a man who doesn’t smoke, rest is a humorous and interesting love story, drink, or watch football! “ with an accompanying part played by Jason 1040 Waverley Street / 989-7277 Alexander as Gere’s attorney. Julia ventures Showroom hours: on to Rodeo Drive to buy suitable apparel to Monday, Friday & Saturday 9 am - 5 pm dine out in style with Richard. The transfor- Tuesday & Wednesday 9 am - 6 pm mation is stunning, as she dresses up beauti- Thursday 9 am - 8 pm fully! The third movie, I would suggest is “ A Walk in the Clouds” starring Keanu Reeves, Aitana Sanchez Gizon, and חג הפםח מחשמח HAPPY PASSOVERPPASSSSOVESSOVER Anthony Quinn. It is a love story that
  Annual Reports Letterheads takes place in the Sonoma wine coun- Booklets Magazines try, north of San Books Magazine Inserts Francisco. Reaves is Brochures Newsletters an ex G.I. From Business Cards Newspapers World War II, who SSteinbach,teinbach, MB Calendars Postcards returns to his home PPh:h: 1-204-326-3421 in San Francisco to Catalogues Posters TTolloll frfree:ee: 1-800-442-0463 find that he has The #1 way to buy direct for your home [email protected]@derksenprinters.com Envelopes Stationery nothing in common wwww.derksenpriners.comww.derksenpriners.com Inserts with the “war bride”
 

    he married quickly    before he went off to war. He tries to con-      "Proud"Proud Printers Printers of the JeJewishwishihP Post Post & &N News"Newss" tinue his previous work as a chocolate     
  

 Wednesday, April 1, 2015, THE JEWISH POST & NEWS 47 Comment

Obama, not Netanyahu, is killing the two-state solution

JNS org. President Barack Obama is cor- rect. There is, as he said on Tuesday, no By realistic prospect of a Palestinian state being created through a diplomatic process for BEN COHEN the foreseeable future. What we can’t do is pretend that there’s a possibility for some- thing that’s not there,” Obama said. “And we can’t continue to premise our public diplo- macy based on something that everybody From the Oval Office, U.S. President Barack knows is not going to happen at least in the Obama speaks on the phone to Iranian next several years.” President Hassan Rouhani on Sept. 27, So that, it would seem, is that. In 2012, 2013. Credit: Pete Souza/White House. Obama confidently told the U.N. General CANADA'S LEADING JANITORIAL Assembly, “The road is hard, but the destina- Prime Minister Netanyahu has a different SERVICE PROVIDER tion is clear: a secure Jewish state of Israel approach.” and an independent, prosperous Palestine.” The Netanyahu approach, as understood by Now, he has conceded that his own journey Obama, was summarized in remarks he Happy Passover is over and the destination remains virtually made the previous day. “Prime Minister to all our Friends & Customers invisible upon the horizon. The elixir that is a Netanyahu in the election run-up stated that final settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian con- a Palestinian state would not occur while he flict has eluded Obama, just as it did his pre- was prime minister, and I took him at his Ph: (204) 668-4420 Fax: (204) 663-0402 decessors. word that that’s what he meant, and I think Email: [email protected] That is not an out- that a www.bee-clean.com come we should cele- We cannot compel Obama to see lot of 375 Nairn Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba R2L 0W8 brate. I also applaud voters the vision of a secure things differently. But I do fear that inside Jewish state of Israel his legacy, as it applies to Israelis, of Israel living peaceably with under- a neighboring, pros- will be a wholly negative one: name- stood perous Palestinian ly, to kill off any remnants of support him to state—only I would be say- add the entire Middle for a two-state solution. ing that East to the equation. fairly But here is where any empathy I have with unequivocally,” said the president. He con- the president ends. cluded that the “prospect of a meaningful It was entirely predictable that Obama framework” that would lead to the establish- would blame his predicament on one man: ment of a Palestinian state was not in sight. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In the future, Obama said, a credible nego- “The issue is a very clear substantive chal- tiating framework would be one “that gives lenge: We believe that two states is the best the Palestinians hope, the possibility that path forward for Israel’s security, for down the road they have a secure state of Palestinian aspirations and for regional stabil- their own standing side by side with a secure ity,” Obama said. Then he added, drily, “And and fully recognized Jewish state of Israel.” In this sentence, there was a faint admonishing of Netanyahu, the implication being that the Israeli gov- ernment’s negotiat-   ing positions and actions in the cur-  rent framework left the Palestinians with no hope at all. It’s here that we get to the heart of the dispute between Obama and Netanyahu, far beneath the surface noise of their mutual dislike. “The issue is not a matter of rela- tions between lead- ers,” Obama said. And he is right.     Ultimately, Israel maddens Obama because its people and its leaders—
  whatever their dis- agreements over       how Netanyahu has handled his person-   Continued on next page. 48 THE JEWISH POST & NEWS, Wednesday, April 1, 2015 Comment

Continued from previous page. al rela- tionship with Obama—are rightly wary of his strategy of enabling Iran to become the dominant power in the Middle East, among the many consequences of which is that many Sunni Arabs turn to groups like the “Islamic State” terror entity in response. What this reveals quite sharply is that Obama has never really empathized with the emotions that govern Israeli perceptions of the wider region—outrage that nearly 70 years after the Jewish state’s creation, the Prime Minister Netanyahu speaking to the Arab and Muslim world remains consumed U.S. Congress on Tuesday, March 3 by anti-Semitism and eliminationist ambi- tions towards Israel; impatience when it censure upon Netanyahu, but they also per- comes to a peace process that promises so ceive him as an appeaser of the Iranian mul- much and requires so many sacrifices, like lahs and of the Assad regime in Syria. Should the 2005 evacuation of Gaza, and yet sel- the phrase “two-state solution” become a dom, if ever, makes good; fear of a nuclear permanent metaphor for a failed policy, Iran and contempt for the negotiating process Obama’s contribution on that score will have that is abetting it. been decisive. But he will choose to blame From Obama’s point of view, though, it’s all Israel and its wily leader instead. That, after about the current distribution of power and all, has been one of the few constants of this resources. Israel, Obama believes, controls administration’s Middle East policy. the land, has a prosperous economy, and is robustly protected by a first-class military that Ben Cohen, senior editor of The Tower, enjoys a close, productive relationship with writes a weekly column for JNS.org. His writ- its American counterpart. It also has the sup- ings on Jewish affairs and Middle Eastern pol- port of America’s influential and prosperous itics have been published in Commentary, the Jewish community, which further cements the New York Post, Ha’aretz, The Wall Street distinctive relationship between the two Journal, and many other publications. He is nations. And yet, despite all those advan- the author of “Some of My Best Friends: A tages, Israel refuses to see that a complete Journey Through Twenty-First Century moratorium on construction activities in Antisemitism” (Edition Critic, 2014).     Jewish communities in the West Bank and
  eastern Jerusalem is in its best interests, thus fueling the anger of extremists who oppose the peace process, thus leading to repeated wars in Gaza, thus provoking international condemnation and isolation, and so on and so forth. We cannot compel Obama to see things differently. But I do fear that his legacy, as it applies to Israelis, will be a wholly negative one: namely, to kill off any remnants of sup- port for a two-state solution. After all, it’s not just about the last seven years. The Oslo process, the second Palestinian intifada, the withdrawal from Gaza, and the assaults from Hamas in the south and Hezbollah in the north, have all persuaded Israelis that hard, territorial com- promises can actually bring more war, rather than less conflict. Yes, a good number of Israelis might dislike Netanyahu personally, and think that he bears a portion of the blame for the fractious relationship with the White House. But that does not imply their support for a peace process that defines Israeli con- cessions as the main yardstick of progress—     suggesting, at the same time, that the com- promises they’ve already made, like the 10- month freeze on settlement building that was implemented in late 2009, are worthless. “Each man kills the thing he loves,” wrote Oscar Wilde. And the president (AHappyPPY2OS HPassover!(ASHANAH
bears him out. Obama’s zeal to cre- ate a Palestinian FROMTHE-ANAGEMENTG state, and his eleva- 3TAFFAT!DVANCE tion of that quest to the most important goal of American 4HINK%LECTRONICS4HINK!DVANCE policy in the region, has been profoundly disquieting for Israel. Not only do Israelis perceive Obama as placing undue pressure and