Hamilton Jewish Federation
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
P7 Living off the grid in the Yukon • 6 Documentary brings up old memories • 7 From ‘in the dark’ to ‘in the know’ • 12 P12 P6 INSIDE SIVAN 5781 Hamilton Jewish NThe voice ofe Jewishw Hamilton Junes 2021 The Mayor takes a stand on antisemitism Mayor Fred Eisenberger’s abhorrence of discrimination of any kind finds expression in his adoption of a new definition of antisemitism STORY BY WENDY SCHNEIDER THE HAMILTON JEWISH NEWS AS ANTISEMITIC incidents have reached near historic levels in this city, Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger’s March 31 announce- ment that his office would adopt a document that provides a comprehensive description of antisemitism was received enthu- siastically by local and national Jewish organizations. Drafted in 2016, the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) document provides examples of contemporary antisemitism, ranging from the use of age-old anti-Jewish tropes, to Holocaust denial, to certain expressions of animus toward the Jewish State of Israel that may at times cross the line into antisemitism. In adopting the IHRA working definition, the mayor joins a growing list of countries and government bodies around the world, includ- ing the Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario and sev- eral Canadian municipalities. Federation president Jacki Levin and Mayor Fred Eisenberger at the 2019 Yom HaShoah commemoration, which MAYOR TAKES A STAND CONTINUES ON P4 was held at City Hall JHamilton expansion Federation announces plans to open new wellness centre at JHamilton location When you’re named after ABIGAIL CUKIER REPORTS: P5 someone, you’re a continuation of their Baking through the pandemic P10 ‘story.”‘ Investing in Hamilton P12 Ben Shragge on an unusual inheritance LOCAL VOICES: P10 Hamiltonjewishnews.com PM Agreement # 40007180 JEWISHHAMILTON.ORG GUEST EDITORIAL Despite the pandemic much was achieved Gustavo Fowler and Associates Rymberg TD Wealth Private Investment Advice Complete Investment and Estate Planning CEO, HAMILTON JEWISH FEDERATION WHEN THE WORLD changed in has been adopted by many countries March 2020, members of Hamilton’s and cities around the world, provides Jewish community were forced to a comprehensive description of anti- adapt to a new reality. Along the way, semitism in its various forms, includ- as individuals and as a community, ing hatred and discrimination against we discovered what was essential. Jews, Holocaust denial and the way Despite all negative predictions, antisemitism relates to how criti- our community responded to the cism of Israel is expressed. Mayor crisis in an exemplary way. What Eisenberger’s gesture sent a clear followed were new emergency pro- message to hate-mongers in our city grams, new community partnerships, that there is no room for antisemitism new volunteers, new government in Hamilton. support and new grants; and we just The second event was seeing the wrapped up our Annual Community Israeli flag flying at Hamilton City Campaign, which surpassed all our Hall in commemoration of Yom expectations. Hazikaron and Yom Ha’atzmaut. We may not have been able to Again, the gesture was a very impor- meet in person, but we were never- tant statement that Hamilton sup- theless able to connect with each ports and recognizes the State of other through Zoom, fulfilling our Israel. sacred mission to protect the vulner- The Hamilton Jewish Federation able; advocate for Jewish issues and will hold its Annual General Meeting for Israel; and educate, engage and on May 27, marking the end of our strengthen our Jewish community. fiscal year and the culmination of Over the last year, all our signature Jacki Levin’s four years as presi- programs went virtual. The second dent of our organization. It was a annual Marvin Caplan Jewish Book real privilege to share my first four Festival, Hamilton Jewish Film years as CEO with Jacki, whose pas- Festival, Teachers Seminar on the sion and love for the community was Holocaust, Holocaust Education always evident in her leadership de- Proudly serving the Week, Kristallnacht and Yom cisions. Jacki supported me during Greater Hamilton Area since 1957 Hashoah commemorations, and Yom difficult moments, and was always Ha’atzmaut celebration were all well there for me when I tried to think out- attended and deeply appreciated. side the box. I am very proud to say Most importantly, we kept our com- that, together, we accomplished all munity together and connected. We our goals. Working and learning with were physically apart but closer than Jacki over the last four years was a ever. real privilege. Thank you, Jacki, for I want to tell you about two making the Hamilton Jewish commu- recent events that filled me with nity a better place for all of us. emotion and pride. The first was I hope you’ll join us on Thursday, Mayor Fred Eisenberger’s adop- May 27 at 7 p.m. for our virtual AGM tion of the International Holocaust to recognize Jacki’s accomplishments Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) and to welcome Federation’s incom- working definition of antisemitism on ing president, Howard Eisenberg. March 31. The IHRA definition, which A COMMUNITY MEMBER WRITES PLEASE KNOW THE DIFFERENCE YOU Since COVID began, I can go many days without in- HAVE MADE teracting with others. Two gifts have kept me going — my Jewish faith and my Jewish community. Prior to Pesach I was taking my walk in a nearby park when I received a phone call Experience the trust, dependability and telling me a hamper had been left at my door. When I arrived home, I found a large dose of kindness in the form of a huge box that I could not get it in the accountability that the Richter Group stores house! I had to remove all the food attached on top and then push it into my have provided for over 50 years kitchen. Once the perishables were refrigerated, I made a cup of tea and sat down to investigate this bottomless well of goodies. Everything for a Seder and so much more. For weeks afterwards, both my heart and my belly were full. How can I thank so many and let them know how much their thoughts and hard work were embedded in every item? Please know the difference you have made, one individual at a time. This is not the first time I have benefitted from my Hamilton Jewish community. You are a special group of people who Hamilton Hyundai Eastgate Ford Bay King Chrysler CSN Collision Centres strengthen its members as we all continue to share kindness and care in these 324 Parkdale Ave N 350 Parkdale Ave N 55 Rymal Rd 230 Lansing Drive challenging times! A special thank you to the staff at Hamilton Jewish Family 905 545 5150 905 547 3211 905 383 7700 350 Parkdale Ave N Services for allowing me the space to hug you back. Shalom. hamiltonhyundai.ca eastgateford.com bayking.ca eastgateford.com Anonymous The HJN welcomes letters to the editor. To submit a letter for publication, email [email protected]. 2 HAMILTON JEWISH NEWS • JUNE 2021 JUNE 2021 Sharon Enkin Student Award winners Hamilton Jewish Federation staff member Elaine Levine with some of the multi-media items from the winning entries for the 2nd Annual Sharon Enkin Student Award on the Holocaust. Students from Grades 10 through 12 submitted videos, poems, artwork and essays in response to the question, “Why is it so important in 2021 for young people to learn the lessons of the Holocaust?” Winners from the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board were Beth Hughes, Ivor Hathaway, Jappreet Gill and Naomi Martin; Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board winners were Andrew Scheer, Lyvia Carroll and Kaitlyn Fegan. A virtual awards ceremony took place earlier this month. COVER STORY Hamilton’s mayor takes a stand 6 INSIDE THIS ISSUE FEATURE STORY agm21 add.qxp_Layout 1 2021-05-01 9:40 AM Page 1 A waiting room revolution 2 Editorial 4 Cover Story 8 6 Feature Stories FIRST PERSON 8 First Person Living off the grid in the Yukon 10 Local Voices 10 LOCAL VOICES FEDERATION NEWS: 7, 12 The joy of pandemic baking PHYSICALLY APART, NEXT ISSUE: SEPTEMBER 2021 CLOSER THAN EVER. DEADLINES Booking ads: July 19, 2021 Advertising copy: August 10, 2021 Publication date: August 25, 2021 HJN EDITOR ADVERTISING Wendy Schneider Wendy Schneider wschneider@ The Hamilton Jewish News jewishhamilton.org HAMILTON JEWISH is published six times a 905-628-0058 FEDERATION PRESIDENT year by the Hamilton Jewish Jacki Levin Federation ASSISTANT EDITOR Abigail Cukier CEO EDITORIAL POLICY Gustavo Rymberg The Hamilton Jewish News DIGITAL EDITOR invites members of the Ben Shragge BOARD MEMBERS community to contribute Janis Criger SAVE THE DATE! letters, articles or guest HJN CONTRIBUTORS Mike Dressler ANNUAL GENERAL ZOOM MEETING 2021 editorials. Steve Arnold, Steven Brock, Howard Eisenberg Written submissions Abigail Cukier, Ben Daniel Hershkowitz must be forwarded by the Shragge, Phyllis Shragge Alice Mendelson THURSDAY, MAY 27 | 7 PM deadline indicated in each Adam Norris issue. This newspaper HJN ADVISORY BOARD Arie Pekar reserves the right to edit, Aviva Boxer Josh Rauchwerger condense or reject any Wade Hemsworth Lowell Richter contribution for brevity or Celia Rothenberg Lorne Rochwerg legal purposes. Georgina Rosenberg CONSULTING ART DIRECTOR Peter Smurlick CIRCULATION John Bullock Jason Waxman For information and registration please contact 2,000 Laura Wolfson Hamilton JEWISH FEDERATION PUBLISHER [email protected] | 905.648.0605 x 303 Hamilton Jewish Federation JUNE 2021 • HAMILTON JEWISH NEWS 3 COVER STORY Mayor takes a stand Taylor Leibow’s CONTINUED FROM P1 Suite of Services Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger decided harm and looking to do what we’ve all his office would take a lead in adopting done, which is to find a place of respect and the new definition of antisemitism after opportunity and community for them and Go Beyond a series of meetings between Hamilton their children,” he says.