Fall 2010 Vol 35 No. 2 Tishre 5771 AH TOV SHAN AH!

Margarita Tsvaygenbaum, The Way That Leads To..., (acrylic on canvas)

In this issue • Feature: P2K Coast to Coast in Halifax • Around our Region • Rabbi’s Corner

TABLE OF CONTENTS President: Howard Conter President’s Message ...... 2 The Atlantic Jewish Council FALL 2010 Executive Director’s Message: Jon Goldberg ...... 3 TISHRE 5771 VOL. 35 NO. 2 From the Desk of Edna LeVine ...... 5 Mailed under Canada Post From the Desk of Mark David ...... 6 Publications Mail Sales Agreement No. 40052452 Feature: P2K Coast to Coast in Halifax ...... 7 Executive Director: Jon Goldberg Campus Life ...... 10 Editor: Camp Kadimah ...... 15 Edna LeVine Contributing Editor: Newcomers ...... 19 Joel Jacobson Layout & Printing: Holocaust Education ...... 21 Halcraft Printers Inc. Around our Region: Halifax ...... 27 Advertising Edna LeVine Around our Region: Fredericton ...... 32 Joel Jacobson Address all correspondence Around our Region: Moncton ...... 36 including advertising enquires to: Editor, c/o Shalom Around our Region: Saint John ...... 38 5670 Spring Garden Road, Suite 508 Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 1H6 Around our Region: Newfoundland ...... 41 Tel. (902) 422-7491 - Fax (902) 425-3722 Around our Region: Prince Edward Island ...... 49 [email protected] [email protected] Around our Region: Cape Breton ...... 50 www.theajc.ns.ca This publication is printed by Rabbi’s Corner ...... 54

Letters to the Editor ...... 60 Phone: (902) 453-4511 - Fax: (902) 453-4517 Cover Artist: Margarita (Tsvaygenbaum) Fainshtein Email: [email protected] Margarita (Tsvaygenbaum) Fainshtein originally from the Ukraine NOTE TO OUR READERS received her Bachelor’s degree in 2006 from the University of Haifa, Our Atlantic Jewish community is losing more and more Israel and immigrated to Halifax, NS in September 2009 with members as the years go on. In the past, Shalom has printed stories of regional the support of the Halifax Jewish community. Since her arrival in community members who have passed away. Halifax she has taught art to children in the Jewish community, While we try to acknowledge the major contributions of many of our late friends and family members, we request at the public libraries, Art Gallery of Nova Scotia and several that you inform Shalom of passings of which we may be community centres. Locally her work has been exhibited at Nocturne unaware so we may recognize these individuals. 2009 and FRED’s Art Map exhibition. International exhibitions Shalom’s editorial staff reserves the right to determine the length of memorial pieces to be printed in the magazine. include Israel, England and the USA. Written articles are the opinion of the individual writers and do not necessarily refl ect the opinion of the AJC. President’s Message by Howard Conter

e Atlantic Canadians have As we continue to enjoy summer and For this goal they cannot rest and neither been spoiled by an amazing maybe take a little time off from our can we as Diaspora Jews in general summer so far, the best day to day hassles and worries, please and members of the Atlantic Jewish Wweather that we have seen in years take a moment to think about Israel, Community specifically. Let us take the and hopefully relaxing times for all our homeland. This summer, like most necessary steps to ensure that we do our of us who appreciate this very special summers our friends in Israel have not utmost to support both the strength of our part of the world in which we live. had the ability to relax in their summer. local community and the State of Israel. There is still some time left before the Ongoing missile attacks from Gaza and As all of us approach the end of a beautiful onslaught of return to school, the opening even the Egyptian Sinai continue on a Maritime summer I ask everyone in the of universities and the start of Rosh very regular basis. And last month the region to recommit to making our local Hashanah. It is my sincere hope that we ambush of IDF soldiers inside Israel’s and world Jewish society that much more all get to enjoy it to the fullest. As we all northern border as they performed very vital. One very unique way to achieve this have the chance to slow things down a routine maintenance. As you are aware is to join our Maritime Mission to Israel little bit, the world and its issues continue the IDF with the approval and appropriate this October and experience in person its at full speed around us. Unfortunately notification of UNIFIL and their Lebanese true beauty and strength. (information the positive vibes of summer in Atlantic neighbors, went on a mission to trim trees available at the AJC office). that were obstructing their view. Trees Canada does not alter world events or From Karen, Jenna, Adam and myself we that were inside Israel’s own border. our situation as Jews in the Maritimes or wish all of you the happiest, healthiest and The IDF troops were fired upon and a Jewry worldwide. most prosperous of New Years. Let’s make commander was killed. This commander Our concerns both locally and it a great one for the Atlantic Provinces was Lt. Colonel Dov Harari age 45. He internationally are still front and center. and the State of Israel. was on what was to be his last military In our Maritime community we face reserve mission the final closure of another community after 27 years synagogue; this time in Glace Bay. We of service to the have read the tributes to the synagogue IDF as a regular and the Glace Bay community in all our soldier and as a local and even national publications. We CONSULAT GÉNÉRAL D’ISRAËL reservist. He has CONSULATE GENERAL OF ISRAEL have heard all the quotes and old tales ʬʠʸʹʩ ʬʹ ʺʩʬʬʫ ʤʩʬʥʱʰʥʷ left behind a wife told on our local and national media. and 4 children. Fitting tributes all but the final meaning Montreal, August 16, 2010 He was killed in is yet another strong and vibrant Jewish Dear friends, an ambush inside congregation has ceased to function. Shalom, Israel while Once again a small town has lost its leading other I am honored to present my best wishes to the Jewish community of Atlantic Canada on the occasion of Rosh Jewish identity a further victim of the Hashanah. soldiers in basic Jewish move to the center of the country. maintenance. As we enter the New Year, the State of Israel continues to face external challenges and significant obstacles in Unfortunately this is a story we hear our quest for peace. Israelis remain as determined as ever to seek peaceful and fruitful relations with all peoples Things in our region. more and more from small communities unfortunately across all of Canada. It is a very strong and As Jews, we are privileged to share a rich history and heritage that has spanned the course of many millennia. have not changed The solidarity that ties our people, whether in the homeland or the Diaspora, is as crucial as ever as we prepare worrisome trend. This needs to serve as an for our Israeli to confront the challenges of tomorrow. eye-opener to all of us who still live in our partners. On behalf of the State of Israel and my colleagues at the Consulate General in Montreal, I would like to wish Atlantic Canadian Jewish communities, you all a very happy and healthy 5771, while thanking your community for your strong engagement and that if we want our identity to continue, As we rest attachment for Israel. and enjoy our we have to make a real effort to preserve May this year bless Am Yisrael with peace, prosperity and unity. it. We have to work at it. We have to do summer our our best to ensure our place on the map brethren in Israel Shana tova! can continue as a strong source of Jewish must work every life. This is something to think about as we day to maintain Yoram Elron move towards another New Year. the sovereignty of Consul General of Israel the State of Israel.

Page 2 Tishre 5771 - Vol 35 No. 2 From the Desk of Jon Goldberg, Executive Director

Two Decades Later that he will always retain connections t was twenty years ago in to our community. For me personally, I September of 1990 that I came to have known him for 35 years and I will be employed as a “programmer” miss his advice and presence here in Iat the Atlantic Jewish Council. Since our office. The good news is that Mark then, we have produced over 75 assured me that he would be available issues of Shalom. I guess you might to handle any CRC situations for which I say this is an anniversary issue for need his assistance. me. Since our last issue, the Yom HaShoah I want to welcome our readers to the programs were once again very High Holiday issue of Shalom for 5771. successful throughout the region. You This is our biggest edition ever, and I will have an opportunity to read about hope you will find it both informative and this in this issue. My congratulations interesting. The Shalom magazine has to everyone involved in these most been published by the Atlantic Jewish important programs. Holocaust education Council for over 30 years. It allows the is a major function of the AJC. We are Jewish community of Atlantic Canada, constantly striving to do as much as we former members of our community, and can with very limited resources, both human and financial. The Yom HaShoah friends of our community to be in touch went to camp her first summer as Shira programs reached thousands of our and stay in touch with Jewish life here instructor; now, she is the mother of two fellow Atlantic Canadians every year. in our region. Our list of subscribers wonderful children, has her accounting Again, special thanks to the survivors in (well over 1000) extends from Israel to certificate, and a husband, Ezra. They our region who give up their time and over 100 communities in Canada and the are both active members of the Jewish energy to speak to hundreds of students United States. My friends, in a job where community here in Halifax, and I wish and citizens every year. Izzy Unger, most of what we do is intangible, it is a her and her family success in their future David Korn, Helena Jockel, Francis Weil pleasure to once in a while meet one of endeavors. Joanna, I will miss you. our readers who tells me how much they and of course the indomitable Philip However, just as I was sad to say farewell enjoy Shalom magazine. I would like Riteman: may they go from strength to to Joanna, I am delighted to welcome to congratulate Edna LeVine and Joel strength. Jared Goldlust as the new director of Jacobson for their efforts and dedication This past year has seen immigration Kadimah. Jared and I go back many in bringing a quality product to our and settlement as a major component years, through his time as a camper and readership. of our activity here in Halifax. Over staff member at camp, to his involvement the last year and a half, we have been Another sultry summer August day with the Jewish Students’ Association joined by 31 new families, with over winds its way through the hourglass here at Dalhousie, where he became 50 children. Again, my thanks to Edna of my life here at the AJC. It has been president and did a great job. He then and our immigration committee for a terrific season, weather-wise, for went on to Brandeis in Boston and their hard work and diligence in trying everyone in Atlantic Canada. Can you recently completed his Master’s degree to integrate these newcomers into our believe that Halifax has been HOT specializing in Jewish Community Jewish community. Integration, of on a good many of the days over the Service. He will be setting up an office course, is the key word, and has proven past six weeks? Camp Kadimah, I have in Toronto in September, and this augurs to be a challenging prospect for all of us been told, has experienced 38 out of 42 well for the future of our camp. days of sunshine. They had a terrific involved. I am pleased to say that the This summer also saw the AJC bid summer but I was personally sad to say vast majority of the newcomers have farewell to Mark David as a member of farewell to Joanna Wexler, who served found employment. Some have bought our staff. Mark has spent over a year with our community in various capacities homes, some children have gone to our us as UJA Administrator and also dealt over the last 15 years, her last five years Hebrew School, some to Camp Kadimah, with Israel advocacy and community as Camp director. Joanna began at the and I look forward to working with relations. I know he will be a success at AJC office in 1995 as a programmer and the newcomers and members of our whatever he chooses for a vocation and continued on page 4

Tishre 5771 - Vol 35 No. 2 Page 3 continued from page 3 When your local canvasser calls, we behalf of the AJC. community to further integration and ask that you respond to the challenges Well, my friends, as you can see by the settlement this coming year. I would that we face in Israel, at home here in picture above, there I am, in Dodger blue, like to also congratulate the immigration Canada, and around the Jewish world. at the new Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, committees in Fredericton, Moncton, Please join us in living generously! early in July. That outfit did not win me and Saint John for their effort in bringing In this issue, you will see an ad for our too many friends that day, but I enjoyed newcomers to their respective Jewish upcoming UJA/Atlantic Region Mission the game! I have been a Dodger fan since communities. JIAS has assisted us in to Israel, October 27- November 4. We 1955, and this was my first visit to the creating a settlement infrastructure and have a few seats left and a great group new Yankee Stadium, with my nephew helped us when problems have arisen. already committed. If you want a special Eric, whom I was visiting at NYC. It To all the Atlantic Canadians who have experience, please call for information. was too hot! No more day games in the helped with the settlement for our Over the last two decades here at the summer for me: 98 degrees. The baseball newcomer families: I want to thank you Atlantic Jewish Council, I have had the season is winding down, with just a few personally and let you know that there opportunity to work with some great lay more weeks to NFL and hockey. For a is more to be done and more families volunteers and some wonderful staff. sports fan, September and October are coming. That continues today, so I guess my luck great times. I want to wish all our readers Over the last two decades, we as a region is still running. To our management Shanah Tovah, a happy and healthy 5771 have suffered from lean years and good committee - Howard Conter, Shulamith for you and your families. years as far as Rabbinical presence is Medjuck, Kathy Zilbert, Tim Margolian, I look forward to seeing everyone at our concerned in our communities. This past Victor Goldberg, Mark Rosen, Michael AJC 17th Biennial Convention, November year, we have been fortunate to have Pink, Jack Haller, and Ruth Chippin 20-21st, 2010 in Halifax. Rabbi Goldman in Fredericton, Rabbi and - who really drive the organization, and May the coming year be a year of peace Mrs. Yagod in Moncton, Rabbi and Mrs. suffer through my rare idiosyncrasies: and prosperity for our community, our Ari Sherbill in Halifax, along with Cantor “Todah Rabah”. I want to thank Bill country, and Kol Israel. Ari Isenberg and Chabad Lubavitch, Chernin, Director of Campus Services, also in Halifax. Our regional chaplain, for his hard work and loyalty over the Rabbi Ellis, services Cape Breton and past year. My also visits Yarmouth, Newfoundland, and appreciation also PEI when required. I want to thank the goes out to Svetlana Rabbis throughout the region for their Ratchinski, one of he National Board cooperation, assistance, and advice. our newcomers, Tof Directors and Staff Our United Jewish Appeal campaign who joined our staff will begin next month. We look forward as bookkeeper/ extend to our donors, to bringing some excellent speakers controller less than families and friends a to the region, and I want to welcome a year ago and has Daniel Stern as director of Campaign and been a wonderful very healthy & happy Regional Community Services. Dan will addition. To the be visiting most of your communities co-op students over the next two months. Perry from Dalhousie Romberg, who now is the director of and everyone else Financial Resource Development, will who helps keep ShanaShana TovaTova also be visiting the region this fall. Please our office going, remember that your gift to the UJA my thanks for your campaign touches lives, near and far. The assistance. And 57715771 AJC, through UJA, encourages Jewish to Edna LeVine, Joseph Amzallag Arnold Rosner continuity in Atlantic Canada, stands whom I mentioned National President National Executive Director with the people of Israel, fights Anti- a number of times Semitism, stands for Canadian and world above, I also want With YOUR help – MDA Jewry, and invests in the next generation to thank her for will continue to provide with national and Israel-based programs. her wonderful uninterrupted emergency Over the past 11 years we have been work on Holocaust service to the people of Israel. involved in the Partnership 2000 (P2K) education and her program as a member of the Coast-to- involvement with Call TOLL FREE:1-800-731-2848 Coast communities. Atlantic Canada has various human led in giving to the Galilee Panhandle. rights events on or visit www.cmdai.org to donate now!

Page  Tishre 5771 - Vol 35 No. 2 From the Desk of Edna LeVine, Director of Community Engagement

hilip Riteman has always been found in the Newcomers section. exactingly honest recounting I participated in a Roundtable this his experiences during spring, hosted by Liberal Leader Michael Pthe Holocaust. With determined Ignatieff, which was highlighted by commitment he frequently warns discussions on the talent and skills against the dangers of complacency. newcomers bring to our community. The Throughout the year, with the support wide range of cultural communities in of his wife Dorothy, he works tirelessly Atlantic Canada provides an opportunity to fulfill speaking engagements to attract and successfully retain new throughout the Atlantic Provinces. immigrants in this region and there was This fall, Flanker Press, NL will publish a consensus on the need to retain and Guest speaker David Demian, centre, meets his biography, ensuring his story will develop new strategies for successful continue to educate to benefit society. with Edna LeVine and Mark David prior to retention. the Yom HaShoah program in Halifax Also this fall, as the Azrieli Foundation With the purpose of understanding and Union continue as partners. Information prepares to launch the third series in their addressing the needs of newcomers to on programs will be available on our Holocaust Survivors Memoirs Series, two Halifax this summer the AJC welcomed website in late September. manuscripts by Holocaust survivors David Irina Epelbeym as a part-time Community This summer I had the pleasure to learn Korn and Helena Jockel are being edited Services Worker. for future publication in their series of from Philip Riteman how to cook Gefilte Yom Ha’atzmaut in Halifax this year was Canadian Holocaust Survivor Memoirs. Fish and Pickled Salmon, which he organized by the Newcomers Program The inclusion of their first hand testimony learned by watching his mother and aunts Committee and their Israeli style dinner will enrich our knowledge of this part of prepare. Below is his recipe for Pickled celebration was outstanding. This summer our history. Salmon. a community blueberry picking program Provincial Nominee Programs have was organized to the enjoyment of all the Philip Riteman’s Pickled Salmon facilitated immigration to this region participants. Brine Ingredients: and the communities of Fredericton, In the spring I attended a workshop on 3 1/2 cups white vinegar Moncton, Saint John and Halifax all have social media for non-profit organizations. 8 cups water established local immigration committees Social online networks have broadened 3 T salt to increase their Jewish population. 1 cup white sugar communication and are highly accessible, This summer I coordinated a Maritime 1 handful pickling spices encouraging participation. Information Immigration Seminar, in Moncton, for 1 handful whole black peppercorns from this workshop resulted in updates on communities to share their immigration 4 medium onions, skin removed, halved then cut in the AJC website, where you will find links information. Settlement and retention medium thin slices on our homepage (www.theajc.ns.ca) to were the main priorities and keynote Fish: join the AJC facebook group and other speaker Mila Voihanski, Executive 2 kg salmon fillets social media sites. We have also included Director, JIAS Canada, provided her a link to a secure online site for donations Brine Preparation: expertise and knowledge in this area. to specific AJC programs. Updates to In a large stock pot over moderately high heat Further details about the seminar can be our website will continue throughout combine the vinegar, water and salt. Bring to a the year as we utilize technology to link rapid boil then add the sugar, spices, peppercorns our communities, share information and and bay leaves. Reduce heat, add the onions and create a more user-friendly site. simmer, covered partially while preparing the fish. Planning is under way for Holocaust Preparation: Education Week in Halifax (October Remove skin and slice salmon fillets into 2” strips 25 – November 7). This year King’s then wash well. College, the International Christian Uncover and return brine to high heat and boil. Add Maritime Immigration Seminar in Moncton, Embassy in Jerusalem, Pier 21, the Azrieli fish and boil on high heat for 5 minutes then reduce r to l: Edna LeVine, Victoria Volkanova, Foundation, Maritime Museum of the heat and continue to cook for 10 minutes. Cool Mila Voihanski, Sydelle Grobe, Francis Weil completely and transfer to containers. and Igor Kaplun Atlantic and the Nova Scotia Teachers

Tishre 5771 - Vol 35 No. 2 Page 5 From the Desk of Mark David, UJA Campaign Administrator

Editor’s note: Mark David was a Director of the AJC, has to work with, the valued addition to our office. We wish constant tug from all directions upon those him the best in his future endeavors resources, and the numerous issues that and look forward to him contributing continually arise for which there is simply to the AJC. no answer in some “Jewish Executive his is my last dispatch from the Director” manual. I believe that Jon is UJA Administrator’s Desk, as I the longest serving Jewish Federation left the AJC at the end of June. Executive Director in Canada. His TI wish to thank all those who donated knowledge and experience reflect that and to the UJA Annual Campaign, and are irreplaceable. He works very hard for encourage them to continue to do so. the interests of all the Jewish communities If you are not a donor, then please in Atlantic Canada (including the many consider making even a nominal university students on our campuses) and donation on an annual basis – I can tell you that unless you have worked for the State of Israel. I enjoyed working for believe it is important that everybody at the AJC on a day to day basis, you him again, and I want to thank him for his should contribute in some manner likely have little idea of the extremely friendship and leadership. to the costs of running our Jewish limited resources that Jon, as Executive communities and supporting the State of Israel. I particularly want to thank all the people in all our communities Rosh HaShanah 5771 who helped in the conduct of the Campaign – they are vital to its Throughout the tefillot/prayers during Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur, a continued success, and I hope that short phrase is repeated many times – “Repentance, Prayer and Charity they remain involved. Thanks also to cancel the stern decree” ʤʸʦʢʤ ʲʸ ʺʠ ʜʩʸʩʡʲʮ ʤʷʣʶʥ ʤʬʩʴʺʥ ʤʡʥʹʺʥ Perry Romberg and to the UJA staff The Rosh HaShanah-Yom Kippur period, called the Yamim Noraim in Toronto – and best wishes to Dan (Days of Awe) stress three core principles of Jewish faith, practice and Stern as Perry’s successor. tradition. Repentance refers to introspection, personal evaluation of one’s The UJA Campaign will now be structured relationship with G-d, one’s fellow man and with how one lives one’s life to be covered by both our Halifax and daily. Prayer refers to personal communication with G-d and with one’s Toronto office. I have been involved in the perspective of the world and its source. Charity refers to man’s transformation process, and believe that responsibility for and his behaviour with his fellow human beings and to for various reasons, it will result in a more the world at large. While reflection and prayer are highly personal and efficient campaign, if only in an internal subjective, charitable acts, acts of kindness (chesed) and social sense. I will remain associated with the responsibility are clear and simple – lend a hand, lend an ear, be caring, UJA Campaign in a volunteer capacity, and will also continue my work regarding Israel recognize that individual well-being is tied to communal/societal health – advocacy (you can check out my blog at be charitable and act charitably by supporting those services that assist http://supportisraelnow.blogspot.com). those in need (whether physical, emotional, spiritual, young and old). The message is that we strengthen ourselves by strengthening others. I enjoyed working with my colleagues at the AJC, and wish them the best. They With the coming New Year we at United Israel Appeal of Canada hope work very hard and always appreciate support from the community – especially you will continue to support our community welfare programs, right here expressed in terms of attending community in Canada, in the FSU and in Israel. events. My very best wishes to you and your family In closing and in particular, I want to thank for a Healthy, Sweet and Happy New Year 5771 – ʠ"ʲʹʺ Jon Goldberg. We have been friends for Perry Romberg, Director, Financial Resource Development, decades and I worked for him from 1975- United Israel Appeal of Canada 1982, when he was in the retail business. I

Page 6 Tishre 5771 - Vol 35 No. 2 p2K P2K Coast to Coast in Halifax by Joel Jacobson

t was the first trip to Atlantic year, they had 30 new computers, made Canada for many committee videos, and even started a radio station members of the P2K Coast-to- where, on the floor, they painted a map ICoast partnership with the Galilee of Vancouver Island, overlaid with a Panhandle. map of Israel, to show the similar size of Their reaction to the meetings and each.” tours on the June 18 Halifax weekend He said a partnership was developed was as positive as their discussions on with a high school whose students the results of the long-time connection exchanged travel ventures with Canadian Mark Gurvis, Liat Cohen-Raviv and Jeff Bradshaw, share a joke at the Zilbert between six Canadian cities and the high schoolers. A dance troupe from residence during the P2K meetings Atlantic region with five towns and Vancouver performed with Israeli held in Halifax. councils from Israel’s north. dancers as well, he added. in Israel has changed “P2K was developed as a dramatically since P2K began. means of building bridges “At first, it was the mayors between the diaspora and of the communities on the Israeli communities,” said committee but two years ago, in-coming Canadian co- we shifted from professional chair Ron Weiss, an Ottawa (political) participation to physician. The Israeli co- lay leadership. There are 40 chair, entering the second partnerships between the year of a three-year term, is diaspora and Israel but ours Guy Lipkin, a businessman is the only one now with from Moshav Sde Eliezer, a lay leadership. It makes community 150 km north of a tremendous difference Tel Aviv. as we look at the broad Weiss said the Canadian aspect for our region. Other contingent, representing partnerships are looking at Vancouver, Edmonton, Coast to Coast participants join together for their final meeting our model now.” at the Prince George Hotel in Halifax Calgary, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Lipkin said he has discovered “One of our main targets has been Hamilton and the Atlantic Provinces, the sense of Judiasm abroad. “We are children at risk and we’ve worked generates money, through United Israel thrilled when delegations come to our with philanthropic organizations and Appeal donations, to fund projects in the area, from children to teachers and foundations to assist those,” he said. “In Galilee. educators to lay leaders. Yes, we benefit addition, we’ve initiated a new medical “A few years ago, we began a major school in Tzfat, scheduled to open in continued on page 8 initiative to fund computer labs in 2011.” Metulla elementary schools. Within a Andrea Freedman, Toronto, national director of planning and development for UIA Canada, added, “We’ve narrowed our focus to three areas – building bridges, capacity building and youth and education. Projects are presented by the Galilee committee to the Coast-To-Coast committee each year, are vetted in terms of appropriateness, and decisions made. Nova Scotia Premier Darrell Dexter, second Of course, our Israeli counterparts have from left, addressed the P2K committee an essential role in guiding us.” meeting, including AJC president Howard A view from the bridge during a tour of Lipkin said the committee structure Conter, Israeli co-chair Guy Lipkin and Camp Kadimah Canadian co-chair Ron Weiss.

Tishre 5771 - Vol 35 No. 2 Page 7 p2K continued from page 7 says she received a connection stronger Zilbert said it’s been a privilege for from the funds but it also strengthens than any other volunteer group with her to be co-chair, “coming from the our communities (to see the caring). The which she’s been associated. “There smallest member of the (Canadian side projects focus on education, from youth have been many changes, particularly of) partnership. I was welcomed by the to teaching leadership skills to mid- the global look the Israelis have larger communities, showing this is truly teens, through young adults who have toward projects in their region, rather a Coast-to-Coast venture where large and completed their military service. We’re than concentrating on their specific small can flourish to do more for Israel.” communities. The move to lay leadership working hard to keep our young people The group spent a day touring and has ensured that. Initially, it was a in our area rather than seeing them meeting at Camp Kadimah where dozens Canadian-driven partnership because emigrate to larger centres.” of children from Northern Israel have we raised the funds and recommended spent six-week camp experiences in the He said his Israeli committee identifies where they should be used but now, last several years. the needs “because we live there” but the because of lay leaders, it’s really taken decision on what projects to undertake is off.” “I never saw such a camp,” Lipkin said made by the overall Coast-to-Coast and She praised Aharon Valency, mayor of with awe in his voice. “I can imagine Israeli groups. Galil Elyon, who had a regional approach what the kids go through when they get Kathy Zilbert of Halifax, completing her when he was in the partnership and here.” three-year term as Canadian co-chair, stressed the need for lay leaders. He laughed. “I want to go live there.”

P2K Steering Committee Meetings June 19-21, 2010, Halifax, Nova Scotia by Karen Conter

ummer in Nova Scotia is all sun-drenched weekend of socializing and Joanna Wexler and associate director, about visitors, sunshine and meetings. Jared Goldlust. Morning meetings were Camp Kadimah. Activities began Saturday night with held in the RCC and followed by lunch S in the Chadar. Camp Kadimah co-chair Friends from Vancouver to Halifax a welcome dinner at the home of and from the Galilee Panhandle took Howard and Karen Conter. Partnership Victor Goldberg welcomed everyone to full advantage of those Nova Scotia participants and a number of local our jewel in the woods. splendours as Halifax and the Atlantic guests enjoyed an informal evening Joanna gave an informal talk about Jewish Council were honoured to of reconnecting with old friends and Camp Kadimah and its importance in host the annual Canadian meetings of meeting new ones. The evening was Nova Scotia and to our Partnership with Partnership 2000. Although it took a lot also an opportunity to thank outgoing the Galilee Panhandle. As part of the of organizing and planning, the meetings National Chair, our own Kathy Zilbert, Geisher Chai program, Atlantic Canada were a tremendous success during a for her efforts on behalf of Partnership. has hosted a number of CITs from the Kathy was honoured by Guy Lipkin, Israeli Co-Chair, new Canadian Co- Chair Ron Weiss of Ottawa, and Rick Schreiber of Vancouver, Kathy’s predecessor. The next morning we boarded an early bus to Camp Kadimah for our first day of Andrea Freedman, National Director Planning & Development ,UIA Federations Canada, meetings. We were chats with Kfir Maoz, Dorin Eilon-Heiber and Coast to Coast held their first meeting at Camp Kadimah. met by director, Ifat Eilon-Heiber, during the P2K dinner.

Page 8 Tishre 5771 - Vol 35 No. 2 p2K north of Israel at Camp Kadimah so they and the sometimes difficult decisions she classroom that is located in a bomb could experience a Canadian summer had to make as she balanced her position shelter so the children can learn in an camp, also giving Kadimah youth the and her religious beliefs. environment that is safe and comforting opportunity to make new friends from the More meetings were held the following in time of chaos and turmoil. Recently, north. The following summer, Atlantic day at the Prince George Hotel. Our lunch a large group of women, organized by Canadian Biluim participants will visit guest was The Honourable Darrell Dexter, Joanne Nozick of Halifax, play Mah Jong the north and re-connect with these new Premier of Nova Scotia, who spoke of regularly throughout the year. They pay friends. This program has been a huge his visit to Israel and his new-found love a small membership fee and directly success for over 11 years. of the country. Meetings ended by late support a warm house for women in the After lunch and more meetings, Joanna afternoon, enabling participants to relax north of Israel. led a tour of camp and Jared conducted a and prepare for dinner, held at the home team building exercise. This event brought of Arthur and Kathy Zilbert. However, the best part of Partnership is together everyone in our group – new and Partnership is a unique and wonderful the friendships we have made over the veteran committee members, Israelis and aspect of the United Israel Appeal. There past number of years. Traveling to Israel Canadians, lay and professionals! It was are many organizations worldwide each fall and spending time in the north fun, interactive and involved everyone!! that allow one to be involved either has effortlessly become more of a feeling As a summer visit to Nova Scotia isn’t by committees or fundraising. But of going to the cottage and visiting family really complete without a visit to Peggy’s Partnership is different. It allows us to than the typical trek to business meetings. really connect with the people and the Cove, there was a quick visit to the As every organization we too are in need communities we are assisting. lighthouse before returning to Halifax for of more involvement from our local area. dinner at the home of Mennie and Lynda We find out first-hand the needs of the If you find you have extra time, enjoy Suissa. Former Lt. Governor of Nova community, their area’s problems, and supporting Israel and travelling please feel Scotia, Myra Freeman, welcomed the decide as a group how and where we can visitors and talked about her term as the help. At Alie Giva Elementary School, for free to get involved. first Jewish Lt. Governor of Nova Scotia example, we have provided an English

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Dartmouth: 51 Gale Terrace, Dartmouth Crossing Halifax: 120 Susie Lake Crescent, Bayers Lake

Tishre 5771 - Vol 35 No. 2 Page 9 Campus Life Campus Life By Bill Chernin, Director of Campus Services, Atlantic Provinces

t’s a at Mt. Allison. Enabling these connections are chosen based on the experiences of challenging on small campuses is very important our planning committee (of which I’m thing to because they have so few Jewish students. a member). It might also interest you to Iwrite about (Whenever we make contact with a new know that last year, myself and the other what happened student on a new campus, we immediately staff members who work alone, were on campus in offer them leadership advice and ready- organized into a team of our own, called the summer, to-go programs, so that they can begin to “Emerging Campuses,” which we have all since not much program). During this first round of activity found to be rewarding, in regards to our happens on we also advertise our next set of programs, training, our problem solving, our program campus in including the Shabbat dinners, the smoked sharing, and our general satisfaction. the summer. I think it might be meat dinners, the basketball league in I’ve spoken very little about Israel interesting for you to read about Halifax, etc. and we welcome suggestions advocacy, but suffice it to say that it goes what goes on behind the scenes, in and involvement from all students forward as always, with efforts underway preparation for a new school year, so regarding the type of programming they’d to arrange a speaker tour of several here you go. like to participate in; It’s through this campuses for the fall plus a premier By late August we have plans with the surveying of students across the region that speaker for Halifax, the modification of our student leaders to attend their society we developed our Remembering Dachau to Propaganda or Education campaign, and fairs and for their first programs, on those Defend Darfur program, and last year our collaboration with, and support from, our campuses that have JSA’s (Dal/Kings, new social justice group ROW (Repair our national partner, the University Outreach Acadia, Mt. Allison). The society fairs are World) – ROW’s website will be completed Committee. Our core leadership is in place where many of the new Jewish students for September so they can start signing for the Israel Affairs Committee. Birthright make contact with the Jewish student up new members and begin their first full Israel trips will run in December and next groups. year of operations. By November we begin summer, Hebrew University and Tel Aviv planning our regional Shabbaton (held In Halifax it’s much the same, but on University, will visit us again this fall, every January). a much larger scale. Arrangements are along with MASA, and our community will made to make the 1st year students living The name of the game, as you can see, undoubtedly diversify, strengthen, and in residence aware of us, a program is is engagement. This past summer the grow this year. I hope you all enjoyed this planned for these same students, and the national organization which funds our little journey behind the scenes. JSA bbq (our most attended program of programming, (NJCL) the year) is also planned and waiting to re-branded itself Hillel happen. The JSA exec, which was elected Canada, much as we in the Spring, will also start holding re-branded ourselves meetings, and planning. Additionally, Hillel Atlantic several with our Hillel Atlantic emails, we notify years ago. At their staff students of the High Holiday services conference in August across Atlantic Canada, and try to facilitate we will learn about invitations for them to Holiday meals. various methods of engagement, through We also try to develop new programming topics such as the opportunities and engage new students “Art of Relationships on the smaller campuses by utilizing – approaches and those students we met at our Regional models,” “Jewish Shabbatons the previous Winter. For Emerging Adults example, this year we have a student at -search for meaning St. Mary’s who would like to organize and mentorship,” programming there, and we can put her “How to Teach People in touch with another new St. Mary’s with Big Questions,” student who contacted us through our and “Models of Hillel Atlantic website. The same is true Engagement.” Topics

Page 10 Tishre 5771 - Vol 35 No. 2 Campus Life “You hope to rise above your disease and excel.” by Jennie David Editor’s Note: Jennie David, daughter still trying to express the severity and of Susan and Mark David, Halifax, seriousness of the condition. My teachers had ostomy surgery on August 10th, were kind and empathetic, making the and is recovering in Boston as she conversation less awkward and more prepares to enter her sophomore encouraging. year at Boston University. With her I felt different than my peers because at positive attitude and strong sense of the end of the day I was very different. I academics, she is planning on taking fumbled to find a way to introduce myself an enhanced course load this year. using anything outside of the realm of aving Crohn’s meant nothing my disease – though it didn’t define me, to me. it had changed my life and the past three In other words, I didn’t know me how my stomach was doing. I was years. By the 10th grade, I was injecting H embarrassed, of course, but also upset – I what that meant, I had no expectations or Methotrexate, a new drug every time the apprehension of the future – I thought the wanted to reply that it was my intestines last one failed. One Friday, I was at my diagnosis would bring an easy answer. not my stomach, but I just smiled. The locker with a friend who was gushing rest of the trip brought restaurant menus But I was wrong. about the weekend and how excited she that were not Inflammatory Bowel Disease was. She turned me to and asked about I had been 11 years old when the pain (IBD) friendly and chaperones who were my upcoming weekend as she packed began, ripping across my preteen oblivious that my condition might be as her bag. I sighed, commenting on how abdomen, cutting me in half, draining legitimate as a severe food allergy. While I’d have to inject chemotherapy into my blood – but I had no idea that the pain I was happy that I was able to be a part of thigh that night, not so thrilling. I shut inside would be a chronic enemy. By the trip, it also made me disheartened that the locker and looked up, her mouth was the end of September 2003, I was 12 although I had come a long way in terms open, I had inadvertently discovering the years old and had been diagnosed with of being able to talk about my disease, fool-proof method of silencing any teen. Crohn’s Disease. The shock and denial the academic world was unaware and Meeting the other youth on the YAC was were overpowering; I would wait by the unendingly challenging to a student with one of the most amazing experiences of phone, anticipating my doctor calling to IBD. tell me he had misdiagnosed me – but the my life. I virtually knew nobody with IBD, During that summer, I came across phone never rang. I refused to take my particularly no youth. Everyone on the the application for the CCFC’s new medication unless my parents forced me, council was warm and smart, funny and Youth Advisory Council (YAC). I was so I cried at night thinking of how different I empathetic. They were kind and patient, passionate about raising my voice about was from my junior high peers. they instantly became my closest friends IBD and ‘coming out of the stall’ and and my pseudo older siblings. It seems Like the slow drain of pills from a I loved the CCFC events, so I applied, ridiculous to form such intense bonds in bottle, time passed slowly day by day penning my greatest hope was to realize a weekend, but they understood a part of and yet my junior high years were over the hopes of other youth with IBD. A call me that was untranslatable, they knew before I knew it. Junior high paralleled came one night from my excited regional what it was like to walk in my shoes. Prednisone, my first hospitalization, and director who informed me that I had been The first few years of moderately mild immunosuppressants. I was excited to chosen and was the youngest member. I disease and intervention left me poorly go on the grade 9 trip with my friends, a was so thrilled that I would be able to help prepared for the years that lay ahead. The celebration of how far we had all come. change something. The idea of being virtually trapped on summer between 10th and 11th grade High school was no different – a new a bus for 13 hours made me anxious was spent in the hospital, celebrating my adventure and a new challenge. My – no bathroom access meant the real 16th birthday amidst a public injection of Crohn’s Disease meant continuous flare- possibility of a very public accident. I my Methotrexate to the excitement of the ups, maybe a three month break, but somehow survived the long ride and nurses who were impressed I could do it mostly a chronic state of active disease. collapsing on the hotel bed was victory myself. It made me confused about what For me, this propelled me to be upfront in itself. At breakfast the next morning, a everyone was saying – who praises a child with all of my teachers and exposing teacher chaperone approached the table for how well they can inject a medication? my disease. It was hard to be open I was sitting at with friends and asked I knew I had finally crossed over into the and comfortable with the topic while continued on page 12

Tishre 5771 - Vol 35 No. 2 Page 11 Campus Life continued from page 11 hospital three times throughout the year, doubted my decision to IB during high realm of the medical universe; I was just each time admitted through the ER with school, I graduated at the very top of my as comfortable in the hospital as I was in enough blood to sink a ship. Each time class. my own bedroom. It was an extension of the drugs didn’t work, each time I was Of course I was nervous about going my life. there for weeks. My teachers panicked away to school. Of course I was scared – it was my final year of a very rigorous I had a little over a month from my that I would get sick so far away from and intense academic program. But they birthday in late July until the 11th grade home. But illness or not, life is made up had no reason to worry, I had developed started. I was excited and nervous – I had of probabilities and gambles and I was a system – leaving my work in the been elected to be on the executive of the going to BU come rain or shine. It helped bathroom. In all honesty I spent the vast student government and I was starting that there are so many great hospitals in majority of my time in the bathroom, the International Baccalaureate (a college the city, particularly when I ended up in and desperately seeking a distraction, prep program) diploma program. While the hospital during the first semester for I had books and work to fill the time. my teachers and guidance counselor about a week. I kept on top of my work as When I think about my hospitalizations saw my spark to learn, they hesitated always, bringing books to the bathroom that year, I initially think of the major on giving me the thumbs up, concerned and emailing the professors myself – I assignments I finished. One of the most about the immense workload and my have found that honesty and alerting them memorable was a Theatre project that I crippling disease in combination with a to future absences is the best policy. After had my family helping coloring in pictures nervous system pain disorder that was I was discharged, my doctor at the BU of make-up sketches as I ran back and developing. And while it might have health centre called asking if I wanted forth to the bathroom with my IV pole and seemed reckless or stubborn at the time, I more time for assignments or such. I NG tube guzzling scope predatory liquid smiled at their insecurities and informed was offended, I to my damaged bowels. I did work right them I was doing the program anyway. was able to deal up until they wheeled me away for the with my work, I Any teen, regardless of illness, comes colonoscopy. That year I had many NG had never taken face to face with stress. However, a tubes, in and out of the hospital, a couple a break handed teen with IBD has to be that much more of PICC lines, and many needles. My NG to me and didn’t conscious of stress and one’s reaction to feedbag-backpack became known as my plan to begin doing it, otherwise the stress could exacerbate ‘snack pack’ – it helped others cope with so. In hindsight, an already precarious situation. In part my disease that I was at ease with. I was the doctor was because of my previously unremarkable relieved to have a physical reminder of trying to be past with IBD, I was semi-oblivious to my disease, not for myself, but for others, supportive, which the devastating effects on my life, I just so that they could see and perhaps begin I appreciated, but kept working and kept getting sick. I was to understand the horrific consequences I have learned to be so independent when unknowingly entering an unthinkable of my disease. it comes to my disease that sometimes journey – my nonsensical roller coaster The 12th grade not only brings prom any advice can seem patronizing. But, as of trying and ‘failing’ every available IBD dresses and yearbooks – but that all I learned, sympathy is not an attempt at treatment. important decision of what to do after patronizing, it’s a bridge to understanding. One day in the student government room, high school. As a dual citizen thanks to Being at BU has been the most amazing I was venting about my illness and the my Mom’s American roots, I had always experience of my life. I had wonderful immense blood loss and the obvious pain wanted to go to university in the States. classes and professors, thoughtful people that comes with it. After a long pause, one I bet if you asked me as a five year old I who saw me as an academic with a barrier of the guys cleared his throat and asked would have told you the same thing, and I and not a problem. I was on the Dean’s if I was talking about ‘girl bleeding.’ I wasn’t willing to give up that dream to go List both semesters in addition to being a laughed, assuring him that Crohn’s wasn’t to a local school for my health. I wrote my part of several extracurricular activities the same as a period, but it also made me college essays from the toilet, expressing and making great friends. Yes, I did make angry – why don’t people know about myself as vividly and heartfelt as possible. a habit out of going to the hospital. Yes, I IBD? The thought raced through my mind Those who knew me did not show downed bottles and bottles of medication – there is so much left to change about hesitation about my desire, they knew I throughout the year. Yes, I was sick and how we perceive IBD. It gave me more could do it, it was the people who didn’t had accidents and cried, but I also got fuel to push my work with the YAC to know me well who encouraged me to stay back up and kept going. It wasn’t easy, really make a difference. home and get healthy. Again, I smiled and I didn’t do it alone, but – I did it. By the 12th grade, I felt empowered by and decided to go to Boston University Years ago, my English teacher got the my YAC friends who went to university to achieve my new career goal of being a class to write letters to our future selves. and had successful, happy lives, despite pediatric psychologist for chronically ill I wrote – “You hope to rise above your my deteriorating body. I landed in the children. And, to the surprise of those who disease and excel.” And though my wishes

Page 12 Tishre 5771 - Vol 35 No. 2 Campus Life were years ahead of the troubles I faced of life through the phenomenal people mind, Crohn’s taught me the following and continue to face each day, I think of involved. My Crohn’s is not a ‘lunch-bag’ lesson: “Don’t ask what the world needs. the words I hoped to live by and try to disease – it’s not one I can easily take Ask what makes you come alive, and go live by them each day. My work with the to school, it prisons me to the bathroom do it. Because what the world needs is CCFC and YAC makes me so proud, it and to painful and invasive procedures. people who have come alive.”- has allowed me to see success in all areas However, in the words of a famous BU Mount St. Vincent Professor Recognized for Teaching Excellence by Joel Jacobson

enise Nevo is a humble to write 500 words about me, and collect woman. The old joke says, [the required] supportive signatures, I “She has much to be humble couldn’t say no.” Dabout” but in Denise’s case she has Denise has served on the university senate, much of which to be proud, but is on virtually every committee and has had unwilling to take credit for the many input into the workings of the Mount. accomplishments she has made over She is involved with the MSVU Faculty the years. Association, Canadian Association of An associate professor in the Department University Teachers Defence Fund, and, of Modern Language at Mount St. Vincent for many years, in the Association of Nova University in Halifax, Denise received the Scotia University. Alumnae Award for Teaching Excellence She smiles, “You will find me on the picket She was forced to take compulsory at the fall 2009 Convocation. She was lines of many Canadian faculty union retirement two years ago when she turned nominated by her students, and, after a strikes.” rigorous interview process by a committee 65 but was retained on a three-year contract, Her teaching philosophy is to use personal of students, professors and alumni, was one which she hopes will be renewed when anecdotes, humour and real life experiences chosen from four finalists to receive the it expires in 2011. when she teaches. In an article written prestigious award. “I’m proud of this award, to be recognized about Denise for a Mount publication for what I like to do.” she says. “I enjoy the Born in France 67 years ago, Denise is an after the award presentation, alumna Lisa interaction with the students and that they accomplished professor (33 years teaching Whynott said, “Not only does she show her appreciate what I do. Some students have French at the Mount) who originally earned students that she is an ordinary person just said to me they took 12 years of French (in a degree in biochemistry at University like they are, but she also genuinely cares public school) but have learned more in a of Paris before moving to Halifax with about them. She has been called a grading three-month term from me and have been her husband, Natan Nevo, himself an machine because of her ability to have all motivated to learn more.” accomplished teacher of Russian and a assignments marked and passed back by renowned artist. Denise says she tries to explain French the following class. She provides thorough Denise later gained bachelor and masters culture, language and grammar in an and clear feedback and makes it a priority degrees in French from Middlebury College interesting way. She obviously has success to be as available as possible to her students. in Vermont and began teaching university doing it. Students often receive e-mails from level courses in 1966. She joined the Mount “I received an e-mail from the selection Professor Nevo at midnight (on a weekend) in 1977. committee saying my name had been with answers to her questions.” Fluent in English, French and Hebrew put forward [for the Teaching Excellence Denise stresses, “I try to teach them (she briefly lived in Israel and visits there Award] by a group of students. I was asked to think, rather than to regurgitate my twice a year now to visit a son, his wife and if I would let my name stand, and at once I own information back to me. And I try their children), and a professional Certified said no, thank you, because I’d have to meet to establish a link between their current Translator (English-French) and Literary people, be interviewed and go through a experience as students in the classroom, and Translator (Hebrew-English and English- process. I’m really a private person.” the life they will have as professionals after French), Denise admits she likes teaching But, she admits, she was told her students they graduate.” and will miss it, if and when she becomes had written a passionate letter about her Denise Nevo obviously sets an example for officially retired. (she never saw it) and, “if they took the time all university teachers to follow.

Tishre 5771 - Vol 35 No. 2 Page 13 Campus Life Spatz Chair by Joel Jacobson

chair in Jewish Studies at “Jim’s gift took the Chair from the visionary religious traditions and come to understand Dalhousie University is being to the reality stage,” said Ronald Mitton of how they play out in contemporary society. established with impetus from the Development office. “From there, we A significant portion of the Chair’s efforts AJim Spatz in honour of his parents, have approached his friends, colleagues will focus on teaching and program Simon and Riva, who survived World and others in the community, in Halifax development. The research goal will be War II as freedom fighters in Poland. and from afar, to support the program. The to expand the knowledge of Judiasm at Once fully funded, the endowed chair will response has been excellent.” the university and complement the work reside in the Religious Studies program Jim Spatz heads a major housing and currently being pursued in the Faculty of within the Department of Classics and commercial development company in the Arts and Sciences. Sharing knowledge and the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Halifax area that was started by his father findings will be the goal of the outreach The campaign goal is $3 million of which soon after he, Riva and infant son, Jim, program. about one-third has been assembled, emigrated in 1950. “Potential donors strongly recommending either through direct donations or pledges, Simon, who lost most of his family in the making the program relevant to today and Dalhousie officials said. Holocaust, was interned at a labour camp what it happening on the world front, as Jim Spatz made what he calls a “substantial and fled to the forest with his younger much as history,” said Steeves. “We expect contribution to start the program. It feels brother just a day before the camp the Chair will expand the outreach portion great to be able to do that. I feel privileged was “liquidated” and all the occupants of the program by bringing in speakers to be able help establish the chair and to murdered. Riva belonged to a partisan and authors, and engaging the entire local honour my parents.” group in the Jewish resistance movement community.” Chris Steeves, development officer at and lived out the war in the woods of Jim Spatz agreed. “The existence of a Chair Dalhousie School of Management but who Poland. in Jewish Studies will hopefully foster was initially involved with the Spatz Jewish “When you see what my parents went one in Islamic Studies in the future. A Studies program as development officer through, it makes you more tolerant. The university is there for people to exchange of the School or Arts and Sciences, added, freedom and opportunity represented by ideas, not always friendly, but the ability to “The endowment will produce $150,000 Canada makes you want to give back.” said do that is at the heart of what a university in annual income to provide a salary and Jim Spatz. “They didn’t go to university does.” other costs. We hope to have the faculty but my sister and I both went to Dal. It is a Simon, who passed away in fall 2007, person in the Spatz Chair by July 2011,” he good story for me to be able to do this.” received an honorary degree from Saint said. “The Chair in Jewish Studies was a The Simon and Riva Spatz Chair in Jewish Mary’s University in 2002 and, with Jim, faculty-driven project presented to External Studies will have three areas of focus: was inducted into the Nova Scotia Business Relations and we provided help getting it teaching, research and outreach. The chair Hall of Fame in June 2007. Both Simon going.” is envisioned to help students appreciate and Riva, who still live in the family home, Jim Spatz said it was the university’s idea how centuries-old beliefs influence were active volunteers in the Jewish to create the chair. “As board chair, I heard contemporary world events. community. about it and knew I wanted to support it. It Current course offerings related to Jewish was a great fit for me, personally, with my Studies include Jewish background.” Hebrew, Aramaic, The number of Jewish students on the Judiasm, the Dalhousie campus has blossomed to more history of Ancient than 600, a large percentage from Ontario, Israel, and Jewish in the last half dozen years. Through philosophies and the years, Dalhousie has had, or has, a theologians. Jewish president (currently Tom Traves), The Spatz chair chancellor (Dr. Richard Goldbloom filled will support that role), members of the Board of an intellectual Governors (current chair is Jim Spatz) and community much more representation from the local by exploring community. interconnected

Page 14 Tishre 5771 - Vol 35 No. 2 Camp KadimaH Camp Kadimah Summer 2010 by Joanna Mirsky Wexler, Director

amp Kadimah just ended out on a range or another fabulous summer on out trips to amazing the shores of Lake William local sites such as Cwith gorgeous weather for most of the camping trips to season! Kejimkujik National The CITs had an incredible time tidal bore Park, Blomidon rafting in the Bay of Fundy, and spending Provincial Park, time at the beach, biking and parasailing Upper Clements in PEI! They also had the opportunity to Amusement Park, meet with the PEI Jewish Community in Rissers Beach Charlottetown and see a bit of small town Provincial Park, The Jewish life. Oaklawn Farm Zoo, and so much more. We saw some future campers this Joanna Wexler and family summer as well- Early who would have the summer of their life on in the summer, we held a pre-gibbie at Kadimah, make sure you get in touch day, for campers ages 5-9 to come and with Jared Goldlust, our new director spend a few hours in programming for the 2011 summer season, at jared@ with their parents at camp. This was so campkadimah.com . successful that we decided to add to the I would like to thank all the campers, staff experience: A 24 hour taste of Kadimah! 12 and camp committee who all helped to Whitney Karrel and Lipaz pre-gibbies joined us for a sleepover and make this summer such a success! The We had a large Israeli contingent in 2010, programs all day. It was terrific and we are work has been a labour of love not only with 31 Israeli kids brought in through so excited to see them join us for real next for me, but also for the committee and its private donations for the summer. They summer! chairs, past and present; Andrew Wolfson, have had an amazing impact on camp this Applications for our 2011 season will be Mark Rosen, Victor Goldberg, Jim Spatz summer bringing in contemporary Israeli out shortly. Please visit our website at and Michael Pink. Jon Goldberg has been culture, but maybe as importantly, they www.campkadimah.com or call the office an incredible supporter of Camp Kadimah describe the experience as one where they at 902-422-7491 ext 225 for details. If you throughout the years. I have loved being feel they have been here for years and are in Toronto, or know a future camper so involved in Jewish life and education have made best friends. through Kadimah. It has been an incredible Popular programs were repeated such as place to be these last many years. I look our 4 day Maccabia (colour war), hockey forward to spending this time with my marathon, world cup soccer, basketball and young family (it’s going by too fast!) but I’m softball houseleague championships and sure I will see you at Camp next Visitors so much more. Campers of all ages went Day!

CIT trip Aaron Pedvis Corey Matlow and Lily Samuel

Tishre 5771 - Vol 35 No. 2 Page 15 Camp KadimaH New Camp Director Gains MBA from Brandeis by Joel Jacobson ared Goldlust, associate director for developing Jewish camp leaders of the significant impact on Camp Kadimah, and of Camp Kadimah, with a future.” the entire field of Jewish camping, and we joint MBA degree in Jewish “We are so proud of what Jared has look forward to watching him make strides Jprofessional leadership from Brandeis in the industry and community.” accomplished,” says Jeremy J. Fingerman, University in Waltham, MA, is the FJC CEO. “We know he will go on to have a second graduate of the Robert and Elisa Spungen Bildner Graduate Fellowship of the Foundation for A Look Back at Camp Jewish Camp (FJC). n 2006, 10 grandchildren of Ralph and Shirlee Medjuck, The unique fellowship allows one attended Kadimah. scholar per year to pursue the degree at I Brandeis’s Heller School for Social Policy Clockwise from top are: and Management and at Hornstein: The Eva Stein on shoulders of Jason Stein, Hallie Benjamin on shoulders of Jewish Professional Leadership Program @ Matthew Stein, Abby Suissa, Isaac Benjamin, Jacob Suissa, Amanda Brandeis. Medjuck, Liane Stein and Andrew Medjuck The goal of the fellowship is to train the next generation of Jewish summer camp leaders. Over two years at Brandeis University, Bildner Fellows are advised by a Hornstein faculty member with camping expertise. In addition to academic coursework, they complete two summer camp internships, attend professional development opportunities offered by the Foundation for Jewish Camp, and dedicate themselves to working at a Jewish camp in a leadership role for three years following graduation. Jared is a graduate of Dalhousie University with degrees in Recreation and Management. Originally from Thornhill, Ontario, he spent summers as a child at Camp Northland B’nai B’rith and Camp Kadimah. Jared will take over as full time Kadimah Director in the fall and will run the Toronto office through the winter season. “I am extremely thankful and indebted to the FJC and the Hornstein program for having this powerful learning experience over the past two years,” Jared says. “It is because of the fellowship and the program that I am now able to move into the real world, assuming the directorship of a Jewish summer camp at such a young age. I firmly believe that a partnership between these organizations is a match that is necessary and can be a model of success

Page 16 Tishre 5771 - Vol 35 No. 2 Camp KadimaH Kadimah a “Forward” Step for Israeli Campers by Joel Jacobson he benefits of integration are evident as 31 Israeli young people smile broadly when Ttalking of their experience at Camp Kadimah, as a camping adventure and with their Canadian counterparts. When this interview was done July 16, the 2010 Camp season was just over two weeks old. It seemed as though many of the Israelis campers had been here forever – and that is a good thing. “I made friends the first day,” said Noy Hemon, 16, a counsellor in training from Yesod Hermaala in the Upper Galilee. “I found everyone so very friendly and open.” There are six in the CIT program, 18 in Machar (14-15 years of age) and seven in Kochot (12-13). There are also three staff members, one a chaperone who travelled with the children from Israel and is a CIT counsellor, and two on head staff – one teaching song and dance and the other been there, want to go back.” nights. drama. The Israelis are partially funded Noy and the other CITs went to Halifax Joanna, in her fifth and final year through a scholarship program supported a day before (July 15) for a Halifax Jazz as director, has seen Israeli children by Canadian alumni of Camp Kadimah. festival concert with guest artists, Israeli attending camp for several years. “We’re Six children receive backing from the guitar-tuba trio Boom Pam. “Everyone lucky with this group,” she said. “They’ve P2K partnership between Northern Israel loved it. It was a lot of fun, especially when integrated so well. They’ve said they communities and Canadian cities. they did Hebrew songs.” feel like they’ve been here for years and Camp Director Joanna Wexler noted One of the goals of the Israelis is to want to come back.” Although, with the donations are still being accepted to offset improve, or learn, English. demand and desire to create exposure for the expenses of each Israeli camper, different youngsters, the program doesn’t “I try to speak English all the time,” said estimated at about $6,500 including air fare. allow return visits. Joanna said some Tom, although others admitted they programming has been geared to making “The benefit of [bringing Israelis to camp] speak Hebrew to each other when they’re the Israelis feel at home. “At our Oneg is the relationship it creates between the together. Israelis and Canadians. The Canadians can Shabbats, we have more contemporary leave camp with Israel being alive to them, Maya Kahalani, 16, Kiryat Shmona, in the Israeli music. We’re even doing an not just propaganda, and having met real Upper Galilee, stressed they “have to speak immigration project focusing on Pier 21 people. The Israelis leave knowing they are English if we’re going to learn. Some of the (In Halifax) and the Israelis have been not alone and isolated, that there are kids Canadians try to speak Hebrew to us and contributing.” we encourage that so they can learn but their age who know of them and care about Assistant director Jared Goldlust, who will our aim is to improve our English.” them.” wear the director’s mantle next summer, Tom Talsmith, 13, from Gadot, Upper Shon El-Yam, 15, Kibbutz Urin, in the said the Israeli campers arrive at Kadimah Galilee, said each Canadian is different but South, near Sderot, 15, has enjoyed new with the misconception young people he finds all the kids love Israel. “I didn’t activities he’d never experienced in Israel. around the world aren’t supporting them. “Water skiing is a lot of fun. know it would be like that.” “When they leave here, they’ve met 300 Noy nodded his head in agreement. “Many Eli Arliuk, 16, Kibbutz Ayelet Hashachar new people who care about them,” he said. kids now want to go to Israel, or, if they’ve in the Upper Galilee, has taken to softball, while Noy enjoys canoeing and social

Tishre 5771 - Vol 35 No. 2 Page 17 Camp KadimaH Montreal Consul Amazed with Camp Kadimah by Joel Jacobson he eyes of Avraham (Avi) of Israel, created by the CITs of 2007, and Israel’s society from places like Russia, Lev-Louis and his wife Batia joked, “Israel seems larger here.” Ethiopia and, many years ago, from Europe were opened wide; their jaws Casually dressed in a short-sleeved dress after the Holocaust. He also noted times Tdropping in amazement as they toured are challenging for Israel, with the constant shirt and jeans, Avi was excited about the Camp Kadimah on July 16. integration of Israeli programming and the threat of terrorism and the Anti-Semitism emphasis on the connection between Israel that just won’t go away. and the disapora. “I hope you will be inspired to help Israel While speaking with the Israeli contingent, so there will be peace and prosperity, he sensed their excitement at being in there and in the entire world,” he told the Canada. Each camper introduced him or campers. herself and told where they were from in In appreciation for the lunch he and Batia Israel. Avi stressed that Israel is not a “war enjoyed, Avi presented Camp cook Anne country” but one of culture and education Joudrey with The Book of Jewish Food, by and peace and, with pride, spoke to them Janna Gur. about the wonderful inventions that have While in Halifax, Avi and Batia attended Camper listening to Consul Avi Lev-Louis come to the world from Israel, such as the the Halifax Jazz Festival, thoroughly cellular phone and computer, as well as enjoying a Thursday evening concert by “Magnificent.” “Wow” “Everyone is so Israeli guitar-tuba trio Boom Pam. happy.” – were only a few of the remarks from the Consul in the Montreal office of “The Halifax community, both Jewish and the Consul-General of Israel, and his wife, non-Jewish, was very welcoming to Boom who were making their first official visit to Pam. There were no demonstrations, just Atlantic Canada since he assumed his role appreciation of great talent,” he said. last September. He also addressed the congregation of Guided by camp director Joanna Wexler, Shaar Shalom Synagogue at Shabbat assistant director Jared Goldlust and camp services Saturday morning July 17. committee co-chair Michael Pink, Avi “This is my first trip to Nova Scotia and spent several hours watching the children the smaller communities. [The consular at camp enjoy their activities, spoke for Consul speaking to campers office] doesn’t get to the Maritimes often about 20 minutes in Hebrew to 31 Israeli advances in health. enough and we should be here more. It’s youngsters attending Kadimah, and briefly As he spoke to the entire camp, Avi noted important, but there is a lot of work in the addressed the entire camp during lunch his role as consul is to identify shared Montreal office too,” he said. period in the Chadar Ochel. values between Israel and Canada. “The With a strong understanding of Canada and favourite part Canadian Jewish camping, Avi spent many of the job is the of his formative years in Montreal, before cultural aspect returning to Israel at age 27 to do army but my job is also service and join the foreign diplomatic to explain Israel’s corps. He has spent consular time in political position. Dublin, Ireland, Prague, Czech Republic, I’m very proud to plus Ottawa and Toronto before accepting speak of Israel’s his most recent posting. accomplishments in He and Batia were awed by the art work the world that have of current and former campers on a mural helped society as a near the Machar and CIT outdoor sport whole.” field, a project funded by the New York- He mentioned the based Foundation for Jewish Camps. Later, millions of people Avi photographed a mural of a large map integrated into Joanna, Batia, Consul Avi Lev-Louis and Jared Goldlust tour camp

Page 18 Tishre 5771 - Vol 35 No. 2 NewComers Immigrant Seminar Maritime Communities Meet On Newcomer Issues by Joel Jacobson etting immigrant families apartments, furniture etc. A meeting with involved in the local Jewish Moncton’s Multicultural Association ws community is one of the held to discuss that organization’s role in Gkeys to retention and growth say lay the settlement process. leaders of the flourishing newcomers Igor Kaplan of Fredericton, also a program in Maritime Canada. newcomer, spoke on behalf of the New At a one-day June seminar in Moncton, Brunswick capital’s committee. He said attended by representatives from Moncton, the synagogue offers immigrant families a Fredericton and Halifax, leaders, including free membership for two years, after which those in the immigrant community, they are billed and asked to pay as much MilaVoihanski, second from left, meets stressed the importance of the new families as they can afford. He also said families with newcomers in Monction. being thoroughly connected to synagogue are expected to attend a regular calendar educated with good English skills. In the and community life. of seasonal, social and holiday community second group, three families had English Similar discussions, via teleconferencing events, and that both spouses must be difficulty and were not as highly skilled. with JIAS Canada and the AJC, were Jewish. Speaking on behalf of committee chair held with members of the Saint John The Fredericton committee concentrates Dan Elman who was unable to be part of newcomers committee. on selecting families where one spouse has the conference call, Hamburg indicated There are currently 33 families in Halifax a good chance of successful employment. the multicultural center was a valuable with another 35 expected between It has created a one-page questionnaire continued on page 20 spring and fall 2011. Moncton has three for each family to complete which helps immigrant families with a nomination to determine pending while Fredericton reported nine level of Jewish families settled with three pending. Saint commitment. The United Jewish Appeal of John, with an active committee, reported Committee member 20 families visited the community with Sydelle Grobe nine submitting applications and 11 in the said six people Atlantic Canada. process of doing the same. are creating an itinerary for the Keynote speaker at the one-day Share your success with a family, ranging conference, coordinated by Edna LeVine from meeting of the Atlantic Jewish Council, was Mila worthy partner. possible employers Voihanski, executive director, JIAS Canada, to banking whose input to the immigration program information. She and settlement of new families has been asked for a list of “in most valuable. Purchase demand” professions The Moncton report, presented by to provide potential newcomer Victoria Volkanova, discussed newcomers and the expectations of members of the new will speak with Alei-Giva families, including attending minyan the local Chamber a couple of times a month, attending of Commerce functions in the Jewish community, and regarding desirable requiring both spouses to be Jewish to professions. ensure interest in Jewish community Gift Cards On behalf of events. the Saint John From the AJC - 902-422-7491 x224 The Moncton committee, also represented committee, Norman and help us meet the special needs of Israel’s children living by Nicole Druckman and Francis Weil, Hamburg reported outlined what it has done on a newcomer the first group of on northern confrontation line communities. family’s arrival, including assisting with nine were highly banking, insurance, job interviews, finding

Tishre 5771 - Vol 35 No. 2 Page 19 Newcomers continued from page 19 community Shabbat service and it was a centers - that the families, hopefully with resource and that a meeting had been very positive experience. young children, attend services to secure arranged with a staff member of the The committee (Joseph Arditti and the continued existence of a Jewish Community College to provide information Erminie Cohen are also members) community in Saint John, with a stress on on employment and assess skills. emphasized that families being approached reaching out to the children. He said the visitors met with the must have two Jewish parents, must know One fear expressed was the potential loss Multicultural Society, Enterprise Saint jobs are available in their profession, and of families to larger centres. Experience John, members of the Jewish community that they have the required skills needed, indicated families will say what the new and the Department of Immigration, plus enough funds to live for one year. community wants to hear so they get to Fredericton. The Saint John committee The expectations of the Jewish Community where they want to be. arranged tours of the city, shopping, a are similar to those of other Maritime Immigration News from Fredericton by Sydelle Grobe

his year the Fredericton Jewish program chose to move to Fredericton. Hungary and Israel. The committee has Community Immigration Committee members have also assisted a established a set of criteria for determining Committee new University of New Brunswick faculty which families we invite to come for an T member and his wife from the United exploratory visit. One important criterion is hosted four families who visited the city as potential immigrants under the New States to settle in our community. Several indication of opportunities for employment Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program community members formed warm for at least one of the spouses. (NBPNP). Immigration proceedings friendships with an Israeli family who lived Not everyone we have assisted has for three of the families are now being in Fredericton the year before last and chosen to become a member of Sgoolai processed. The fourth family has decided returned this year to spend the summer Israel Synagogue. However, more young to remain in Israel for the time being with us. families are members now than before following unforeseen circumstances in Members of the immigration committee the immigration committee began its their family. are pleased to welcome these families to work under the NBPNP. Religious classes As a consequence of previous exploratory Fredericton. They join four other families once again are filled with children being visits, four families relocated to Fredericton who arrived in previous years and are now instructed by our enthusiastic Rabbi from Israel this past fall and spring. well-established in the community. Yosef Goldman. Attendance at minyans has increased. Therefore, the committee We also offer hospitality and advice to aid Fredericton is an attractive city for would- is confident that the process of helping in decision making and re-location plans be immigrants who are searching for a immigrants to settle in Fredericton has of families who are not applicants under small city in which to raise their families, been successful and that the Fredericton the NBPNP. One such family relocated as evidenced by 70 families currently in Jewish community will continue to grow. here from Great Britain under the auspices the queue. The immigration committee of the entrepreneurship section of the responds to inquiries about re-location Committee members: Sandra Byers, NBPNP. Another Israeli family who from many origins. Website inquiries have Leonid Gimelshtein, Rabbi Goldman, originally relocated to Saskatchewan under been received from Canadian-born Jews, Sydelle Grobe, Igor Kaplun, Ellen Lupu, the Saskatchewan provincial nominee as well as Jews living in the United States, Irina Tarnavsky and Israel Unger.

Seventeenth Atlantic Jewish Council Biennial Convention November 20 - 21, 2010 Halifax, NS We look forward to seeing you there.

Page 20 Tishre 5771 - Vol 35 No. 2 HoLoCaust eduCatioN Reflections from my Asper Foundation Human Rights and Holocaust Studies Program by Aaron Smythe, Halifax, NS rom April 25-28, 2010 I was in Washington, D.C. on the Asper Foundation Human Rights and FHolocaust Studies education trip. Little did I know then that this trip would turn out to be such a fun and educational experience. On my first day in Washington we traveled around the city to different monuments. I got to see the Jefferson Memorial that I had only ever seen on television. I also stood on the marble stone at the Lincoln Memorial where Martin Luther King Jr. had delivered his “I have a dream” speech on. Day three was very similar to day one but we spent our time going to the different Smithsonian museums instead of visiting monuments. My favourite Smithsonian Asper 2010 participants: from Halifax: Max Fineberg, Jacques Wolff, Aaron Smythe, Shael museum was the air and space museum, Brown, Hannah Novack, Zachary Novack, Alanna Pink, Anna Sadofsky, Hyla Silburt, Rebecca which I went to with Shael and Jacques. David, Robyn Budovitch, Jacinda Renee Solomon, From Fredericton:Jasmine Kranat, Michelle Chippin and Amanda Brown. Chaperones and teachers: Judith Goldberg, Halifax & Rabbi Yosef It had all kinds of real planes hanging Goldman, Fredericton and lay chairperson and chaperone Dawn Frail, Halifax from the ceiling and had a bunch of things that would be used in space Jews and you have to walk through it After everything I have learned on this travel. It was so much fun! to get to the rest of the exhibit. When I trip I really feel like I need to start stepped into the cattle car I got a really standing up more for people who are My second day in Washington was a strange feeling as I was looking around being discriminated against or being very serious day because we spent the trying to picture the hundred or more singled out in some way. I have learned day at the Holocaust museum. The people that would have been packed that simple stereotypes and rumours museum was amazing. It was very well into the very same car I was standing that people say and start can turn into done but parts of it were really hard to in. I felt almost like I was one of them, much bigger problems, such as the take in. Some of the things I saw and standing in a car that really could have rumours that Hitler started about the learned about in the museum were only held half of the people in it at most. Jews. Hitler started saying things about unbelievable. Things I never knew had I kept thinking that the only difference the Jews that weren’t true and he ended happened during the Holocaust, such between me and the many other Jews up turning most of Europe against them. as the Pogroms that took place in many that had stood in that tiny cattle car was It is our job to stop people from saying Jewish places around Europe and the that I wasn’t being shipped off to a death things about other races and cultures experiments that were performed on or labour camp against my will, along because we are the ones who know what the people in the concentration camps. with millions of other people of whom can happen. I have also come out of I can’t even explain how sick these only a handful would survive. I was this trip with a stronger Jewish pride. I experiments were, they even had a slide only passing through the car, nudging have learned about how badly the Jews show of them so that you could see how my way through the crowd of souls and were treated in the Holocaust and how they were used. It was disgusting. memories of the real people that were many were killed. The fact that our One of my clearest memories of the there before me, knowing that I would religion survived and is still increasing museum was the train car. In the middle step out of the car and be safe and free in population today makes me feel really of one of the exhibits there is a real to be who I am. proud to be a Jew. cattle car that was used to transport the

Tishre 5771 - Vol 35 No. 2 Page 21 HoLoCaust eduCatioN A Message of Hope A Day with Holocaust Survivor Philip Riteman by Taffara Murray he walls of the gym are lined front of the class with posters, the seats are filled and announced with people anxiously waiting, that Philip Riteman Tand Philip Riteman is making his had agreed to come way to the front. As I sit here waiting speak to us. Our for something I feel I worked hard class was ecstatic to accomplish along with all of my and we started classmates and my communications talking to one teacher Kathryn, I can’t help but another about how think back to the days that brought great this would be. us to where we are in this gym. It “But wait”, Kathryn was one question that would lead us says, “there is more.” up to this wonderful opportunity, More? How can and that question was, “What was the you get much more Holocaust?” than Philip Riteman My communications class in the Adult coming to speak to Learning Program at NSCC was studying us? She then tells Philip Riteman describing the photos to Brigadier General Tony Stack us that he and the genocide. We explored Rwanda and thing I’ve ever done in my academic Brigadier General will be coming. Once Darfur and went back in history to learn career, and I’ll never forget the experience. and discover. While learning and digging again, we started talking with excitement. I heard the principal of our school get up deeper, many of us came to a realization “Wait. There is still more”, she says. Still to the microphone and start to speak, and - what did we really know about the more? How can she top this? I snapped back from my thoughts on the Holocaust? We knew it happened, and that “Philip Riteman is coming to speak with prior days. This was it; it was starting. was it. Why did it happen? When did it us on the day of the 65th Anniversary of The Brigadier General stood up and happen? What actually took place? This is the Liberation of Auschwitz, which is also spoke, and we all listened to his words of when we decided this was something we International Holocaust Remembrance experience and stories of what he knew all wanted to learn more about. Day.” and had seen in his career. We then learned of Philip Riteman, a This left us all speechless. What an Then, it was Mr. Riteman’s turn. He Holocaust survivor, who lived here in amazing opportunity we were all getting! walked up to the front and took the Halifax. Then we all discussed and thought This was a once in a life time experience, microphone. what an opportunity it would be if he and it just kept getting better and better. would come and speak to us. Never in a As he spoke, I swear you could hear a pin And with that, we were off - planning and million years did I imagine the event that drop. Everyone was hooked on every word getting assigned duties and tasks. Everyone would actually take place from this one he was saying. He told us of his family, the wanted to be a part of this event, and thought! days leading up to being sent to Auschwitz, everybody was putting in their fair share to the awful train ride there, and then actually Then one day, Kathryn stood up at the ensure this day would be the best we could being in Auschwitz. His stories made my make it. Classmates stomach do 360’s and my heart jump into who barely spoke my throat. My eyes stung with tears, and were coming my breath was taken away. I thought to together to help each myself, “Have I ever really felt pain? Have other with whatever I ever really felt fear?” they could. The days leading up to this Then he said something, something that event were filled will never leave me. He said “You don’t with anticipation, know where you’re going, until you get team work, and hard there.” These are the truest words I’ve ever work. It was the heard. You can never know what is going In military dress, far left, Brigadier General Tony Stack, most worthwhile to happen, until you are there and it is is captivated by Philip Riteman after introducing him.

Page 22 Tishre 5771 - Vol 35 No. 2 HoLoCaust eduCatioN happening. a great family and When I decided to go back to school and wonderful friends, work towards achieving my high school and I am free. We all diploma, I never imagined that I’d be take that for granted sitting in a gym full of people, listening to way too much, and this amazing man speak and tell his story, way too often. so that I may have the learning experience So as I walked that most will never have. through my front When he was done speaking, I’m sure you door, I sat down could hear our applause all around the on my couch, and campus as we stood from our seats and scooped my two- thanked Mr. Riteman for this wonderful year-old daughter opportunity. up in my lap and held her close. As the day came to an end and I was I cherished that driving home, I still had tears streaming a little prayer of thanks for where I am moment with her a little longer than I down my face. How lucky am I to be where today, and all that I have and love. would have the day before, and I said I am today! I am young, I am smart, I have

Dear Mr. Riteman: tears in your eyes. You truly are the one voice here “in heaven”. I will make sure my own My name is Chrissy Gray. I was Student of 6 million and I know you have touched children hear your story and learn about what Ambassador on January 27th, 2010 when you many hearts and changed many lives. I will happened 65 years ago. I will teach them, “It came to the NSCC Akerley Campus to tell us never forget that day for the rest of my life. is better to love than to hate.” your story. The few hours I spent with you I have a picture of you and me, and I have I hope to see you again. and your lovely wife, Dorothy, was and still is to say that you look 159 years young! The Sincerely, an honour and a privilege. I think of you quite picture stands where everyone can see it Chrissy Gray often and when I do, I get a tear in my eye. so when they ask Not only because of what you went through who that man in the 65 years ago, but because I saw a small piece picture is, I can tell COMING SEPTEMBER 2010 FROM FLANKER PRESS of another side of you no one else here has them, “He’s one of the seen. I saw your great sense of humour and bravest men I have MILLIONS OF SOULS: THE PHILIP RITEMAN STORY saw happiness in your eyes and smile, and ever met”, and I will by Philip Riteman as told to Mireille Baulu-MacWillie heard it in your voice. I consider myself lucky tell them why. to have been granted the position of Student Philip Riteman is a Holocaust survivor I would also like whose mission is to educate today’s youth Ambassador for your visit. to thank you, Mr. on the atrocities committed against millions of Jews and Gentiles by Adolf Hitler’s Nazi Before your visit, I knew what the Holocaust Riteman. Thank you regime during World War II. From the was and I’ve read articles about it and saw for being so brave and Pruzhany Ghetto, Poland, Philip and his family were deported to Auschwitz-Birke- pictures. But, to hear what happened from educating our children nau. There, his entire family was extermi- someone who has lived it is a lot different about this terrible nated. As the lone survivor, Philip was used as a forced labourer in five concentration than reading about it in a book. When you piece of history. In camps, where he witnessed the cruellest spoke to us that day, Mr. Riteman, I saw that my opinion, it helps treatments that can be inflicted on human beings: degradation, dehumanization, star- happiness and humour fade away. I heard 6 them realize how vation, hard labour, daily beatings, torture, million voices in your words. I saw 6 million lucky we are to live and deliberate, cold-blooded murder.

Millions of Souls is told in three parts. First is Philip’s account of life in his hometown and as an eyewitness to the struggle for survival in the concentration camps. Second is the story of Philip’s exodus to New- foundland after the war, where he discovered that there was still some humanity left in the world. Third is the story of Philip Riteman today, and his commitment to his mission.

Philip Riteman’s story was recorded by Mireille Baulu-MacWillie during a series of interviews at Philip’s home in Nova Scotia, Canada.

$16.95, ISBN: 978-1-897317-78-5, 176 pages, paperback, b/w photos

To order, call toll-free: 1-866-739-4420, ex. 22 or visit www.flankerpress.com Philip & Dorothy Riteman with student ambassadors at NSCC.

Tishre 5771 - Vol 35 No. 2 Page 23 HoLoCaust eduCatioN The March of the Living for Educators 2010: Walking in Remembrance; Returning with Responsibility by Anne McLeod, Social Studies Teacher, Prince Andrew High School, Dartmouth, NS as I visited place This underlined the fact that as the war after place where was drawing to a close, the Nazis were atrocities had more intent on killing Jews than they occurred, listening were in providing the infrastructure to the words of to win the war. This was also evident those who had at Birkenau and Majdanek where the survived to tell death count soared in the last 2 years. their stories, but Standing on that railway platform, gazing seeing blue skies at hill we had just walked up and at the and having the tracks before us was the first of many words underlined experiences that left me trying to grasp by birdsong. the enormity of what happened there Surreal, indeed! but still with the question” How could Following our visit this happen in a civilized country?” still The group singing in a synagogue in Krakow to Wannsee we pounding in my head, as it does even or ten days in July I was part had the first of many now. of a trip that left me mentally, debriefing sessions, sharing our feelings While in Berlin, we also visited physically and emotionally and thoughts. The insights brought to Saschenhausen, one of the first camps Fdrained. I would not have missed a our discussions by Vera were invaluable. established to deal with primarily second of it. Twenty-six educators Throughout the trip, she was always political prisoners and homosexuals. As I from across Canada were given the open to sharing her thoughts, feelings had been to two other camps previously, opportunity to experience the places and experiences with us and truly Mauthausen and Dachau, I was a bit of the Holocaust in the company was the heart and soul of our group. prepared as to what I was going to see as of an incredible lady, Vera Schiff, Even when she was finding the places far a buildings and layout; however as we herself a survivor of Theresienstadt. emotionally taxing, she was always entered the remains of the crematoria, a Along with our guide, Yishai and the involved and I feel very blessed to have group of young Jewish teens were having organizer, Carson Phillips, we were had the chance to speak with her one on a memorial service and this moved me to all about to go through an intense one several times on a variety of topics. tears. As a high school teacher, it brought 10 days that none of us will ever I know that she touched every single one home to me the legacy that the Shoah forget as we walked in the footsteps, of us very deeply has left to these young people and also to sometimes literally, of the millions The Jews of Berlin were taken to Gleis all future generations. I guess that it why who, 70 years ago, walked the same (Track) 17 to be paths with no hope of returning. loaded onto trains Berlin is a bustling, modern city that and deported, so still harbours pockets of its darker that was where history. Wannsee House is a lovely villa we went next. As set on lake, surrounded by manicured I looked at the gardens. Standing in the foyer, looking dates and numbers up at the curved staircase, it was hard to of deportations, comprehend that, in 1942, in the room I observed that in front of me, over some refreshments, in the last two Heydrich and the top Nazi officials met years of the war to plan the implementation of the “The there were many Final Solution”. This surreal feeling transports with accompanied me throughout the trip only twenty-five or so people on them. Janus Korczak’s Orphanage

Page 2 Tishre 5771 - Vol 35 No. 2 HoLoCaust eduCatioN I am a Holocaust Educator, to ensure dimension to our journey. that these lessons are never lost. Standing outside of Oskar Schindler’s Much more was packed into our two factory in Krakow was another days in Berlin, but as we later came to surreal moment for me, not because realize, these were our “easy” days. A of its fame, but because there, in long bus ride took us into Poland where the window were the pictures of we were stopped and detained by the two people whom I had met at Polish Border Police. No reason was Schindler’s grave in Jerusalem last given; they wanted our passports and we year. Nahom and Eugenia Manor were not allowed to leave the bus for an were both imprisoned in Plascow and hour. As I sat there watching them go rescued by Schindler. They met and through our papers, first puzzled, then fell in love in this factory and three a bit concerned, I was able to connect years ago celebrated their fiftieth in a small way to the confusion and fear wedding anniversary at his graveside. that the Jews felt as they watched their Seeing them look out at me from freedom being taken from day by day the window of the factory brought with no explanations, no reasons and the events of 70 years ago into the few choices. What if we did not get out present as nothing else had. At the passports back? What if….? For forty-five site of Plascow, where nothing of the minutes, I was able to imagine what it infrastructure remains, we stood on must have been like; Germany was a the scarred earth where masses of civilized country in the 1930s and 1940s human bodies had been burned and just as Poland is in 2010. Yet these things listened as one of our group told the happened, and, are still happening in story of her grandparents who had The Warsaw Ghetto some parts of the world. This experience been imprisoned there. Needless, to say, If you have ever seen Fiddler on the brought an unexpected yet valuable it was a powerful moment that brought Roof then you know what the tiny shtetl two names and faces clearly into of Tykochin is like. As we wandered focus out of the millions. down paths to the river where the Jews of Tykochin drew water, swam and My visit to Auschwitz / Birkenau did laundry, we heard the story of why is a blur to me now, but as I there are no Jews left in this rural Polish process my photographs, I have village. The Synagogue is still there, and vivid snatches of recollections. we learned a wonderful Jewish song and I had heard about the size of danced there, but the Jews are gone. We Birkenau, but nothing can truly followed in the footsteps of 3400 Jews as prepare you for its vastness. The they gathered in the village square. Over barracks, the skeletal chimneys, 2000 of them were loaded onto to trucks the ruined crematoria, the and taken to the Lopochowa Forest “Sauna”, the site of “Kanada”, nearby. There, they were unloaded and the groves of trees where people marched down the same path that we waited quietly for their turns to be followed until they reached a clearing gassed, the pond of ashes: I was where 1,400 of them were shot and desperately seeking a quiet place buried in a mass grave. Two more mass alone where I could give way to killings resulted in two more graves: on my emotions, but we were very with 350 bodies and one with 200. This rushed and it was only after we place for me was one of the hardest to reached the pond of ashes that we bear. We sang Hatikva; I did not know were given the chance to wander the words, but I knew the melody and and reflect. It was then that I prayed for all of those innocent people noticed a large ditch covered in lying there in the Lopochowa Forest. small blue wild flowers; a mass That is why there are still no Jews in grave. The tiny blue flowers Tykochin. bloomed profusely as if to declare their reason for being,” Forget We saw much more in Warsaw: the Me Not!” I had found my place to remnants of the Ghetto, the Ghetto weep. Me at a remnant of the Warsaw Gheto wall continued on page 26

Tishre 5771 - Vol 35 No. 2 Page 25 HoLoCaust eduCatioN

The Umshlagplatz, Warsaw - where the Jews were held before deportation themselves. My The more I learn and witness, I feel that students will know I should be coming to some answers. Anne with Vera Schiff what happened and However, perhaps Vera said it best at continued from page 25 what is happening. Genia Manor took my Majdanek when she explained why she Wall, Treblinka, but our trip ended at hand and said to me, “Please don’t let our came on the trip. “ I came in the hopes Majdanek. This camp had one purpose: stories be forgotten.” I have taken that that this time I would find closure. I did death. It is intact and is, for me, the as my personal responsibility to her and not find it. I now have to accept that most impacting of all the camps I have the many other survivors whom I have this is not a place where you can find been to. The Mausoleum holds the ashes met; their stories and the lessons to be closure.” If we are able to come to terms of people who were killed and burned learned from them will be told. Seeing with the Shoah; to find all the answers, there; flecks of bone are still visible; it the places and walking in the same steps then we are very close to rationalizing it. is raw. Here we came face to face with as so many who died has made the Shoah That, indeed, would be a very dangerous the end result of all we had seen: the visually real to me. I am a photographer place to be. ashes of innocent people. And here I and feel and see with images. It was not If you are interested in viewing my had to evaluate what I learned from this until I was processing my images that pictures from the trip this is my Flickr experience. many of the emotions hit me. It makes site. me even more prepared to combat As an educator, I feel the responsibility http://www.flickr.com/photos/annemcl/ to instill in my students a sense of deniers when I encounter them. compassion for humanity; that they Personally, this trip may recognize hatred and prejudice left me with even wherever they may encounter it and more questions be able to fight it, even if they find it in than I had before.

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Page 26 Tishre 5771 - Vol 35 No. 2 arouNd our regioN: Watchmen for The Nations Embrace Jewish People by Joel Jacobson avid Demian added a different but I repent what went before. Will you dimension to Yom Hashoah forgive me? Will you let me call you my in Halifax, quite a change friends?” Dfrom previous touching, heart-rending At the dinner, each survivor was presented recollections by Holocaust survivors a glass sculpture with an embracing hand from near and far. emerging from a maple leaf and holding Demian, an Egyptian by birth, an Orthodox a Star of David with the St. Louis sailing Coptic Christian by faith, and a man through the Star. bothered by discrimination and hatred of Demian told the Yom Hashoah audience and by human beings, spoke passionately that Christians have a responsibility to as a medical doctor) and, a few years later, about the ill-treatment of Jews trying to remember and to revise the past, to say (when living in Vancouver and wishing flee Germany on the SS St. Louis in 1940 “Your God is my God, Your people are my to see change in people’s attitudes toward and their subsequent shunning by the people, and we’re one family. This journey one another,) I was invited to a conference world and eventual return to Germany is never finished. Christians and Jews can between Arabs and Jews in Switzerland where many met their fate. walk together. I pray Canada will provide where I was representing Arab people. I A strong believer in God and His refuge if hard times come again.” knew I wanted to see nations heal,” he said. contact directly with him, Demian is The Watchmen for the nations produced In 1997, he was visiting Miami and met director of Watchmen for the Nations; a a film of the Ottawa dinner, plus other Herbert Karliner, a St. Louis survivor. Christian-based group, comprising many events they’ve held in Canada and of Demian told him he wanted to bring all denominations and churches, plus business missions to Israel called The Embrace, a the survivors they could find to Canada leaders, media people, and many with the record of a five-year journey of repentance to apologize on behalf of all Canadians for same heart. of Christians for Jews in Canada. turning the ship away, to express their He told a large audience at the Maritime sorrow. During Yom Hashoah ceremonies, six Museum of the Atlantic, where there is an candles were lit by community members, Karliner told Demian it would never extensive display of artefacts and lists of each candle signifying one million happen but Demian insisted that is “what names of passengers from the St. Louis, Jews lost in the Holocaust. Names and God wants us to do.” how he disliked Jews early in his life backgrounds of survivors living in the because of the wars between his native It DID happen. On November 5, 2000 in Halifax area were also read to express country and Israel, but looked inward, Ottawa, 50 survivors were welcomed with the 2010 theme of Yom Hashoah, The spoke with God and asked Him to change open arms by The Watchmen. Voices of the Survivors, as chosen by the his heart. It happened. “If the church doesn’t take responsibility, international committee in Israel and Yad “I was living in Canada (he arrived in 1988 who will? We faced them and repented,” Vashem. In addition, letters and testaments said Demian. “We even had Baptist from Jews lost in the Holocaust were read. pastor Doug Blair of Sarnia, Ontario, in attendance, the great nephew of Frederick Blair, the minister of immigration in 1940, who convinced Prime Minister Mackenzie King, who was in favour of allowing the Jews in, that it shouldn’t happen. He coined the phrase, None is Too Many.” John Hennigar-Shuh, general manager, Maritime Blair appealed to the Museum of the Atlantic, Jon Goldberg, AJC executive survivors. “I’m humbled to director and guest speaker David Demian, director, Watchmen of the Nations, meet prior to Yom be here. I understand my Ina Kohler, Halifax, lights a candle HaShoah ceremonies at the museum in Halifax. name is not dear to your heart on behalf of all Holocaust surviviors

Tishre 5771 - Vol 35 No. 2 Page 27 Around our Region: Stellar Event, Starry Crowd by Joel Jacobson

t was an evening for the ages, or minyanaires and those doing the little Israel he made a year or so ago, under the at least the decade. things to make a shul successful, were auspices of the Canadian Jewish Congress, For the first time in 10 years, Beth presented certificates by president Paul when he was leader of the opposition. I Lipkus and Rabbi Ari Sherbill. Israel Synagogue honoured its own, and ``I was so impressed with what this small members of the wider Jewish community, The dinner committee was ably chaired country has done,`` he said. ``It is the for the work they have done to make the by Frank Medjuck who fostered the need bastion of democracy in a troubled area of synagogue, and the greater Halifax and for an event such as this to pay homage to the world, yet, despite the general thinking, Nova Scotia communities, even better. great people. Each attendee received a 48 I felt safer in Israel than I sometimes do in At a dinner at Beth Israel Synagogue page commemorative book, highlighting Halifax.`` Auditorium May 12, Nova Scotia Premier, the accomplishments of all honourees who ``Israel is a country I recommend to people the Honourable Darrell Dexter, was came from many walks of life and interest. to visit and I certainly want to return to see on hand to address more than 160 In remarks to the audience, master of more in the future, `` he added. people and present certificates to 48 ceremonies Joel Jacobson said there were Frank Medjuck termed the event a success. community members, recognized for many more people who could have been He said the next morning, ``All reports their career, volunteer and philanthropic honoured but the committee was limited are: “over the top”, “first class”, “wonderful accomplishments. by the nominations forwarded by members evening”, “flawless”, “room was fabulous”. of the community. “This is an event that In addition, 90 volunteers in the Beth Those unable to attend, or wishing should be held more than once every 10 Israel Congregation, from past presidents additional copies for family and friends, years,” he said. and board members to various synagogue can purchase a souvenir book at the Beth committee members, dedicated Premier Dexter commented on a trip to Israel office for only $10.

Advertising Feature Israeli Kosher Wine for the High Holidays Rosalind and I are both sommeliers, familiar with the wines of many countries. In 2007 we toured key Israeli wineries after being on the Atlantic Jewish Council’s last mission to Israel. Rosalind wrote about this incredible experience in Shalom magazine, particularly of how we were blown away by the world-class quality of Israeli wines and winemaking. Sean Wood, wine writer for the Halifax Chronicle Herald, wrote of his similar experience following a separate tour for Canadian wine writers. As a matter of fact, he was impressed enough with Israeli wine to write of it in two separate laudatory articles. So, gone are the old days of Israeli kosher wines being the equivalent of sweet sacramental wines like Manischewitz. Welcome to the new world of Israeli Kosher wines comparable to quality non-Kosher wines from anywhere on the globe. Rosalind and I have worked hard to ensure reasonably priced Israeli kosher wine comes to Nova Scotia, and we’re pleased to say it will be available for the first time, in time for this year’s High Holidays at NSLC’s Port of Wines and Bayer’s Lake stores. The wines are Yarden Mount Hermon Red and Yarden Mount Hermon White. They should be available sometime between August 23 and September 3, depending on when the shipment arrives, and the price will be under $20. Both are Bordeaux style blends that are clean and crisp and ready to accompany most holiday dishes. Under Nova Scotia law individuals are not allowed to sell wine, so Rosalind and I are not selling it, nor are we advertising for NSLC. We are just happy Israeli Kosher wine will be here, but it can only be purchased from Port of Wines on Doyle Street in Halifax or at the Bayer’s Lake NSLC outlet. For those who might not be able to get there, or who want to be sure of a supply for the High Holidays, Rosalind or I can take orders for you and have the wine set aside. Philip Belitsky • Home: 902-429-0767 • Cell: 902-430-0962 • Email: [email protected]

Page 28 Tishre 5771 - Vol 35 No. 2 arouNd our regioN: Club Massada by Barb Alberstat, President

nce again, Club Massada had a for making this happen. Both the Gift presented with a Tree for being one of the wonderful full year filled with Shops of the Shaar Shalom and Beth Israel founding members of Club Massada and many lunches and programs synagogues were available for purchases. helping to name our seniors group. Special Oin the Shirley Burnstein Room of Without the support given to Club Massada certificates of thanks were handed out to Northwood. It is these numerous by the Board and co-workers we could not all the Board members and committee good times that brings many of our exist. Therefore a great big thanks to all of members: Erika Bernikier, Marianne Jewish Seniors together to meet and these volunteers for their hours of work. Ferguson, Mildred Glynn, Borace Jacobson, greet each other. Sometimes these Mindy Jacobson, Ethel Stein, Pearl David, special occasions are the only times We ended the year on a special Closing Ruth Garson, Shoshana Katz, Molly that many of our seniors have the Dinner held once again at the Prince Rechnitzer, Marta Markus and Jean Zlatin. opportunity to see other members George Hotel with approximately 70 people During the evening fun Door Prizes were of our community in a congenial in attendance. The evening began with the given out by Mindy Jacobson. Shirley and atmosphere. presentation of Trees in Israel to Shirley I give our thanks to everyone for another Burnstein, Co-ordinator and Barbara This is the committment that Club Massada great year and hope that it will continue for Alberstat, President. Other presentation has to this community. We have continued more years to come. this committment for over 25 years. We of Trees in Israel were handed to Edith had our Annual Chanuka Luncheon Schneiderman and Ralph Garson for their May you all be blessed with Health and at the Shaar Shalom Synagogue and many years of Presidency. Also Trees were Happiness in the New Year and we look everyone enjoyed the meal and dreidles awarded to Rose Ellis for all her assistance forward to seeing all the members and and Chanuka chocolate gelt. Many thanks with some of the seniors during the guests in September. to the President and Board of the Shaar lunches at Northwood. Sylvia Levin was Bessie Rinzler Passes Away in Toronto by Joel Jacobson

matriarch of the Maritime to family and friends. Even after she Jewish community passed left Halifax six years ago, she remained away a week before her 96th connected to dear friends like Jean Zlatin, Abirthday in Toronto in late April. Pearl David, Naomi Judah and Barbara Bessie Rinzler, born in Chatham, N.B. and Alberstat. raised in Newcastle, N.B., lived in Halifax Jordana recalls Bessie’s love for reading, for many years before moving to Toronto, eating sweets, music, and meeting new at age 90, to be closer to many in her people which she did constantly in her family. Toronto residences. She was a past president of Massada Jordana writes, “Knitting was one of Club of Halifax and contributed her time Bessie’s passions and after she made and volunteer service to the Beth Israel enough sweaters, hats & scarves for her Synagogue there. She and late husband family members, she then moved on to the Max were fixtures at Halifax community Mitzvah Knitters - knitting 100 stitches in events. Bessie and Max, married 65 a row for a baby blanket, and kvetching all years before his passing in 1999, had two the way and loving it!” children, Juanita and Morley, and four She recalls with fond memory, “Bessie, grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Steven Sable in Toronto, wrote a stirring (Nanny) who was only in my life for almost Bessie’s granddaughter, Jordana Frankel- tribute to a woman who touched her six years in Toronto, made it feel like a life Sable, married to her oldest grandson deeply for her strength and devotion time of great adventures.”

Tishre 5771 - Vol 35 No. 2 Page 29 pHotos from arouNd our

Linda Jonas Schroeder plays a flute The Moncton Public Library held a multicultural festival to solo as a prelude to Yom HaShoah launch its summer reading club “See the world @ your library”. Sheldon Bernikier and Frank Medjuck enjoy festivities during a ceremonies at the Maritime Museum Nancy Cohen represented the Moncton Jewish Community Yom Haatzmaut party in Halifax. of the Atlantic in Halifax. at the Israel table.

At the closing ceremony of the 2009-10 Shalom Halifax Newcomers Program, Gerald Walsh, President of Gerald Walsh Associates Inc., a firm specializing in executive search, career transition and the students presented artwork they created to the Atlantic Jewish Council. executive coaching, advises Halfiax newcomers on finding jobs at Urbanity Salon. It hangs proudly in the AJC office.

Isaac Moscovich and Bryan Gaum celebrate a As outgoing Canadian chair of P2K Committee, Kathy Zilbert received a Halifax children work on crafts during a newcomers’ event at Bryan’s Urbanity memento from incoming chair Ron Weiss of Ottawa. Yom Haatzmaut party in Halifax. Salon in Halifax.

Page 30 Tishre 5771 - Vol 35 No. 2 Megan Leslie, MP (NDP) Halifax, Jerry Blumenthal, Halifax Councilor, District Sheldon Bernikier and Frank Medjuck enjoy festivities during a Israel Unger, center, a Holocaust survivor, speaks with community members 11, and Leonard Preyra, MLA (NDP) Halifax Citadel- Sable Island, attend Yom Yom Haatzmaut party in Halifax. after Yom HaShoah ceremonies in Fredericton. HaShoah ceremonies in Halifax.

Gerald Walsh, President of Gerald Walsh Associates Inc., a firm specializing in executive search, career transition and executive coaching, advises Halfiax newcomers on finding jobs at Urbanity Salon.

The Erlich family enjoys participating in the community Children of Camp Lubavitch in Halifax enjoy a bowling outing. blueberry picking program in Halifax.

As outgoing Canadian chair of P2K Committee, Kathy Zilbert received a Marcie Gilsig reads names of Holocaust victims at memento from incoming chair Ron Weiss of Ottawa. Fredericton community members enjoy a summer picnic at Killarney Lake. Victoria Park in Halifax on Yom HaShoah.

Tishre 5771 - Vol 35 No. 2 Page 31 ArouAround ournd our Regio Region: Han:l ifax & Fredericton The Women in Judaism Series by Marcie Gilsig

I was recently reminicing with Ari Sherbill, Blessings of The Torah. where our discussions will take us, but Rabbi of the Beth Israel Synagogue, about In these gatherings we engage in the by the end of the evening, we’re always how the Women in Judaism series got words of Torah in specific relationship to spiritually richer for having taken the started. “It was the first or second day of Women in Judaism. Rabbi Sherbill always journey.” Indeed we always end feeling Sukot”, Rabbi Sherbill reminded me, “and I comes prepared with an interesting topic to uplifted. We close our evening as we began, gave a talk in Shul about how the Sun and explore, supported by several texts, filled meditating in a sacred circle, connected to the Moon have a relationship to Men and with stories, laws and mysteries of the our Jewish n’shamas, and to each other. Women in Judaism. Someone suggested Jewish people. Torah texts are layered with On a personal note, it is a pleasure and that I do it again, perhaps for a Lunch and meaning. Through study with Rabbi Ari honor to host the Women in Judaism Learn. So I did that and because you were we engage with the wisdom embedded in series. It gives us a chance to celebrate teaching at that hour and couldn’t attend the text and are able to glimpse the hidden being Jewish Women; women of differing you offered to host a class one evening in “secrets” he often speaks about. Hebrew is ages, backgrounds, and varied Jewish your home ... from that began Women in an essential key that unlocks meaning in practices, who come together to study, to Judaism!” the texts. With Rabbi Sherbill, it is fun to learn and to grow, both in community and We meet monthly, during the academic look closely at individual words, sometimes as individuals. I know I speak on behalf session, in my living room. People arrive even at individual letters to understand a of all of us when I say I appreciate our around 7:30 so we can chat and catch up; hidden message. As students of Torah and fearless leader Rabbi Ari Sherbill, who happy to see each other as another month as Women, we discuss, argue about, and inspires us, challenges us to think in new has passed and we have much to share. marvel over the many levels of meaning in and creative ways, and always holds his When Rabbi Sherbill arrives we begin the Torah. Asking questions, perhaps the seat even in the face of a challenge. And the formal part of our meeting with a central tool in Torah study, is encouraged. thank you to all the men and women Centering; a process of accessing calm And there is opportunity to share stories, who participate. You make it a truly through presence. Often this is a short offer a reading or a poem, break into a lovely evening that is blessed with ritual, meditation on the breath. One of the chant, or simply just be. spirituality, and a feeling of oneness. Hebrew words for soul, n’shama, shares the The Women in Judaism series is a way The next Women in Judaism will take same root as the Hebrew word for breath, to discover and experience ones self place on September 16th, @7:45pm, 1454 n’shima. Just as the Hebrew illuminates through the study of Jewish wisdom and Birchdale Ave., where we will have a the mysterious unity of our breath and our spirituality. According to Dawn Frail, a conversation and and discussion on Tzitzit. soul, so we are unified through the practice member of the Shaar Shalom Synagogue For more information please call Rabbi Ari of Centering. The whole group is drawn and a regular participant, “Women in at the Beth Israel Synagogue, 422-1301 or into the present moment, relaxed and Judaism provides an informal, supportive Marcie Gilsig @422-9870. focused, ready to learn. Before beginning venue to explore spirituality in Judaism to study, we say the Brachot Hatorah, from a female perspective. We never know Fredericton News by Ellen Lupu

here’s lots going on in accompanying articles for more details their 28th anniversary in August. Fredericton. This past spring about these events. Community members gathered at Rabbi Yosef Goldman organized In June, we celebrated two high school Killarney Lake in June for a potluck Ta well-attended community seder graduations, Matthew Chippin from picnic, swimming and companionship. at the synagogue and took three Fredericton High School and Phillip Soicher In August, we welcomed our Kadimah students from our community to from Ecole Sainte-Anne. Mazal tov! Other campers and staff home from camp. Now it. In April, the synagogue hosted simchas: Marc and Ayten Kranat sponsored the community is looking forward to Igal a moving Holocaust Memorial that a Kiddush in honour of their anniversary, Tichonov’s bar mitzvah on September 4. filled the sanctuary. Please see the and Shelley and Byron Stephens celebrated Congratulations to the family.

Page 32 Tishre 5771 - Vol 35 No. 2 arouNd our regioN: From the Rabbi’s Study byRabbi Yosef Goldman t is hard to believe that it is something that already almost a year since I happened last arrived in Fredericton. There are week. Itwo very wonderful events I would We also were like to share with you. fortunate to visit During the winter, organizing the the Newseum, a community Seder, I received several Museum showing emails asking how long it will be. I the history of news don’t take any short cuts, but somehow making. I took everything we do here is ‘short, sweet pictures of several and to the point’, so I could safely things that, in my answer those emails that it would be eyes, show how short but fun. It was a great experience we really are one for me and for the community. I want human race. The Shelley Stephens and her son enjoying the picnic to thank Carol Airst, Shelley Stephens antenna from the and many more for organizing and World Trade Center and Shelley Stephens, president of the preparing. It is also my pleasure (September 11th), where the terrorists synagogue Sisterhood, wish everyone a to thank the Knights of Columbus did not care which religion/colour a happy and healthy New Year. Shanah volunteers who served, washed and person was. More Tovah! cleaned everything from beginning so, appliances to end, and to Aaron who cooked a found after wonderful and delicious Seder meal for Hurricane Katrina, over 60 people. natural disasters After a short trip to Israel, I was off definitely do not to Washington, D.C. with three girls make exceptions from our community, Amanda Brown, between “races”/ Michelle Chippin, and Jasmine Kranat, religions when they through the Asper Foundation. During hit. I myself almost the winter we studied together about the missed out of the Holocaust and Human Rights around the trip to Washington, world and specifically in Canada. The being detained in US Border Control Officer in Montreal Israel after/during put us through our first test of tolerance the Volcanic Ash and patience, but I think we passed the episode. test with flying colours (and with lots of We want to thank tears). You were great girls! Edna LeVine, for The four days we spent in Washington all her work and taught us a whole lot about how we help, and the Asper truly are all one human race, though we Foundation, for have different opinions. The highlight making this a great of the trip was, of course, the Holocaust and meaningful Museum, and we learned so much more trip. than what we knew before. For example, On behalf of the we experienced the story of a survivor Fredericton Jewish who spoke to us, first hand, about her community, life as a child during the Holocaust Louis Budovitch, in Holland. She has such a vivid president of Sgoolai memory, we felt as if she was describing Israel Synagogue,

Tishre 5771 - Vol 35 No. 2 Page 33 arouNd our regioN: Yom Hashoah in Fredericton by Sydelle Grobe

ax Eisen was guest speaker conditions and malnutrition,” said Eisen. at the annual Fredericton “I was fortunate to find a discarded community Yom HaShoah paper cement bag, which I wore under MHolocaust Remembrance Service at a flimsy shirt to protect myself from Sgoolai Israel Synagogue. freezing. We had no food for eight days Mr. Eisen was born in Moldava, and handfuls of snow along the way Czechoslovakia in 1929 into a large were the only sustenance.” orthodox Jewish family. In the first After eight days of marching, the ever- ten years of his life he had a normal diminishing group reached a bombed childhood with all the amenities that railway bridge over the Danube River at good parenting and extended family Mauthausen, Austria. They were forced provided. “Life changed dramatically to cross the bridge on foot. Eisen made when Hungary occupied the eastern it across but many did not have enough part of Slovakia in March of 1939 strength to avoid missing sections and and racial laws were imposed on the fell to their deaths in the icy waters. Marlene Unger at the Holocaust Memorial Jewish population,” he said. “This led Eisen was liberated at Ebensee reading books and newspapers.” to dehumanization, segregation, and Concentration Camp in Austria on May confiscation of businesses. All Jews had 6, 1945 by the 761st Black Panther Tank Through increasingly more to wear the Yellow Star of David for Battalion of the United States Army; the responsible jobs and applying his visibility.” first all-black fighting unit in Europe. own resourcefulness, he gained the experience necessary to start his own His extended maternal family consisting Following liberation, he was determined manufacturing company in 1964. The of grandmother, uncles, aunts and to return to his family home, now business prospered and eventually cousins were deported from Slovakia in Czechoslovakia, with the hope of employed up to 65 people. Eisen retired in 1942 to Majdanek-Lublin Death Camp finding family members that might have in 1992 after a successful business career where they were murdered. In May 1944 survived and would take care of him. as a respected pioneer in the industry. his immediate family of parents, two “Upon arrival at my home, I discovered younger brothers and baby sister and that our neighbours had occupied it and A court case in Toronto in 1985 paternal grandparents, uncles, aunts I was made to feel unwelcome,” recalled involving a Holocaust denier motivated and cousins all perished in Auschwitz- Eisen. “The realization set in that at the him to get involved with the Holocaust Birkenau Death Camp following age of sixteen, I was homeless and alone Education Centre of Toronto as a deportation. in the world.” speaker/educator. In 1991, he started speaking about the dangers of hatred “I survived slave labour in Auschwitz, He spent three years recovering from and discrimination in society in an effort Mauthausen, Melk and Ebensee Camps his ordeal in a Jewish orphanage to promote understanding between and was forced to go on a death march organized for surviving teenagers in community groups. in January of 1945 where thousands Marienbad, Czechoslovakia. Afterward, died from exposure to severe weather he was admitted to Canada as a Lt-Governor Graydon Nicholas, Mayor displaced person, Brad Woodside, Royal Canadian Legion arriving in Toronto Branch President Jean-Guy Pelletier and in October 1949 as veterans of the Royal Canadian Legion a ward of Jewish were guests of honour at the service. Family and Child Sgoolai Israel President Louis Budovitch JOSEPH S. ROZA Services. “This welcomed everyone to the service. Ellen BARRISTER & SOLICITOR organization helped Lupu read a selection from the Book of me get clothing, a Joel that praises the virtue of bearing Suite 210 Tel: (902) 425-5111 place to stay and witness. “Hear this, ye old man, and 6021 Young Street Fax: (902) 425-5112 Halifax, Nova Scotia www.josephroza.com work,” he said. “ I give ear. All ye inhabitants of the land. B3K 2A1 E-Mail: [email protected] learned English at Hath this been in your days, or even in night school and by the days of your fathers? Tell ye your

Page 3 Tishre 5771 - Vol 35 No. 2 arouNd our regioN: children of it, and let your children, chambers, and Kael and their children another generation.” Molai Rachamim, Shelley Stephens and Mark Kranat led a traditional participants in a recitation of the 23rd memorial prayer. Psalm. “Exhalted, Six memorial candles were kindled. Compassionate Survivors Max Eisen and Israel Unger God, grant perfect lit candles honouring victims of the peace in your Holocaust. Roz Brown lit a candle on sheltering presence behalf of all victims. Jean Guy Pelletier among the Holy lit a candle honouring members of the and the Pure to armed forces who lost their lives in the souls of all World War II. Mayor Brad Woodside our brethren; lit a candle to honour the Righteous men, women Gentiles. Lucia Demaio and Scott Ronis, and children of new members of the Fredericton Jewish the House of Community, kindled the sixth candle. Israel, who were A seventh candle, in hope of a bright slaughtered and Lieutenant General Graydon Nicholas and our guest speaker, future for all young people, was kindled burned.” Holocaust Survivor, Max Eisen. by Jonathan Lazarev, a student at Bliss Israel Unger recited Following the service, the Jewish Carmen Middle School. the Mourner’s Kaddish a traditional community hosted a reception in the prayer that praises God and pleads for Anton Tarnavsky sang the haunting social hall of the synagogue. hymn Ani Ma’amin, “I believe,” a peace. “May the Father of peace grant confirmation of faith which death camp peace to us, to all Israel and to all victims sang on their way to the gas mankind …”

Shelley Campbell Elayne Pink Senior Travel Consultant Vice President

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Tishre 5771 - Vol 35 No. 2 Page 35 arouNd our regioN: Report from Moncton by Nancy Cohen

oan Sichel has Field Championships. been organizing Francis Weil, Janyce the Holocaust (Rubin) Arsenault and JMemorial services her three daughters in Moncton for the Julie, Lynne and Natalie past 25 years and this volunteered to help out year she decided it with this event. Lynne was time for her to (see picture) was one of retire. For awhile it the six young women seemed that there selected to be a VIP host would be no service, and she was chosen to but with less than walk the Prime Minister three weeks to go (and out in the opening Passover to prepare ceremonies. Lynne is the third girl from the right (tallest one) for), Victoria Volkanova Many former members of and I offered to organize milestone took place on May 16. All our community returned to it with the assistance of Joan and former teachers, graduates and parents Moncton for the long weekend in August Francis Weil. The service was held on of graduates were invited to a beautiful to attend the Attis Family Reunion. By April 11 and in spite of the limited reception. David Attis, the school’s all accounts it was a busy and fun filled time we had to get it organized, it founder paid tribute to the wonderful weekend. Prior to Kabbalat Shabbat, went smoothly and there was a good teachers who have made Tiferes Israel the the entire community was invited to turnout from both the Jewish and best preschool in Moncton. hear guest speaker Dr. Eric Goldstein, a non Jewish communities, as well as Several of our youngest members had a history professor and expert in Lithuanian several official representatives such great time while learning about Judaism emigration. as the mayor. Victoria and I quickly at Tiferes Israel Day Camp. The camp, We are fortunate to have more new leaned how much work is involved in held during the last couple of weeks of immigrants join our community. Inga and organizing this service and on behalf June, was directed by Rabbi and Rebbetzin Igor Safronchik and their two children of the community would like to thank Yagod and led by their daughters Chumie have recently moved to Moncton. Joan for dedicating so much time to and Huvie. It provided a fun filled Jewish making sure there was a community atmosphere for children ages 4 to 11. Mazel tov to Peter Gergely on the commemoration every year and marriage of his daughter Laura to Athletes from around the world organizing many wonderful and Andrew Offman the son of Ken and converged on Moncton during the last moving services. Wendy Offman, in Halifax on Aug 8th. two weeks of July when the city hosted Congratulations to Laura’s grandmother Tiferes Israel Preschool is now in its the International Association of Athletes Sara Gergely. 30th year and a celebration to mark this Federations World Junior Track and Mazel tov to Barrie and Evy Carnat on the marriage of their son Daniel to Deanna Allan. The marriage took place on August Mazal Tov! to Betty and Alan Hans, 8 in Kelowna, BC. Moncton, on your 60th anniversary, Mazel tov to Daniel Cohen, son of Ivan and Nancy on graduating with his BA from September 14th. Dalhousie University. Mazel tov to Reuben Cohen who will We wish you many more happy, healthy and receive the Order of New Brunswick at a nachas filled years together. ceremony on October 27. Best wishes to all for a happy, healthy and Love, Lisa & Steve, and Jeff, Cheryl, Josh & Caleb sweet New Year!

Page 36 Tishre 5771 - Vol 35 No. 2 arouNd our regioN: Reuben Cohen Reprinted by permission of the Telegraph-Journal

oncton’s Reuben Cohen has Dalhousie University. He went on to found received a bevy of honours Central Guaranty Trust, which expanded in his career as a lawyer, into a multibillion-dollar empire but was Mbusinessman, philanthropist and liquidated in 1992. community supporter. He was a director of several major He is a companion of the Order of companies, including Petro-Canada, Canada and a member of the New Maritime Life Assurance Company and the Brunswick Business Hall of Fame as well Mortgage Insurance Company of Canada. as Chancellor Emeritus of Dalhousie Cohen is also a philanthropist with a University and recipient of numerous passion for the arts inspired by his late honorary degrees from Atlantic Canada wife, Louise. universities. The Université de Moncton renamed its art Now, Reuben Cohen can add the gallery after the Cohens in recognition of a Order of New Brunswick to his list of fund they established to help the institution acknowledgements, an award to be amass a large Acadian art collection. presented by Premier Shawn Graham at a excited by too much,” adding he would He was also involved with the YMCA of ceremony October 27. attend the ceremony “If I’m still alive.” Greater Moncton, Friends of Moncton Cohen told the Fredericton Gleaner that Cohen began a legal career in the 1940s Hospital Foundation and the Moncton at almost 90 years of age, “You don’t get after completing his law degree at continued on page 38

Tishre 5771 - Vol 35 No. 2 Page 37 Around our Region: Saint John continued from page 37 Cohen was appointed as a Member of the or former longtime residents who Rotary Club. Order of Canada in 1979, promoted to an have reached a high level of individual Officer in 1990 and named a Companion of achievement in any field and contributed Cohen’s memoir, A Time to Tell: the Public the Order in 2001. to the social, cultural or economic well- Life of a Private Man, in 1998, became one being of the province. of the top 10 non-fiction hardcover best- The Order of New Brunswick was sellers in the country. established in 2000 to honour current News From Saint John by Susan Isaacs - Lubin

he Saint John Jewish Street. Abe was also a vital part of the Saint immigrants from Israel this spring. Both community has had two deaths John Community throughout his lifetime. groups were very interesting and are that have been very meaningful Abe was known for his sense of humour, interested in moving to Saint John. We Tto us in the past short while. his love of music and the arts, and his hope that things work out with as many as Jerry Koven, beloved husband of Marcia generosity and charitable acts. Although possible. Koven, died the end of June. Jerry Abe and Goldie moved to Toronto after Mazeltov to The Honourable Erminie was a well known business man in their retirement, they remained in our J. Cohen, who has received another our community. He owned the Grand hearts as Saint Johners and he came home international award. This award is given by Department Store on the west side of to us to be buried here. Our thoughts are the North American Council on Adoptable Saint John and was very active in the with his family – his wife Goldie (Garson), Children, headquartered in New Haven, community. Jerry was also out Gabbai his children – Philip (Heather), Rozie Connecticut. Erminie is one of seven Rishon for many years until his health (Nordau), Susie (David) and Michael (Hyla) receiving an award this year – and the only forced him to retire. Jerry was a small and his many grandchildren. Canadian. Her award is the Activists Award man in stature, but a very large man in his Over the winter and spring we have done given for her work in founding the New influence in this community. Jerry had an more renovations on our new building. We Brunswick Adoption Foundation which to infectious laugh that we will all remember. have built a new meat kitchen, which is date has found homes for approximately Our sympathies go out to his family – his just about complete; and we have installed 800 children. wife Marcia, daughters Diane, Charlotte tile on the floor in a room that we plan to We are looking forward to having Cantor and Sheri and son Andrew and their use as a multi-media room in the future. Jeff Spitzer with us once again for the High families. We have been actively looking at Holidays. Cantor Spitzer comes from the We were also saddened by the death of new immigrants to help us grow our Boston area and has been with us a number Abe Davis. Abe and his wife of 68 years, community. To this end, we have of years. He has a beautiful voice and we Goldie, owned the Ideal Stores on Union entertained two groups of potential look forward to his services. Saint John “Mensch” Jerry Koven Passes Away by Joel Jacobson

n icon of the Saint John Fairville Department Store in Saint John people I was blessed to be associated with,” Jewish community will be from the late 1930s until he closed the said first cousin and close friend, Norman remembered as a mensch, a store in September 1994. He took over the Holtzman, who also had a Saint John retail Aman with an infectious laugh, and one retail operation from his late father, who background. “When he dealt with you, or who was upright, honest, loyal and died prematurely. Koven, a Dalhousie talked with you, he always made you feel compassionate. University Commerce graduate at age 19 like you were the most important person Jerry Koven passed away June 26, 2010 at in 1938, declined to attend Yale Law School in the world. He enjoyed life and he loved 90 years of age, evoking fond memories to which he had been accepted, so he people.” from family and friends. could help his mother operate the family In declining health for the last two years, business. Blessed with a sharp wit, Koven ran the Koven was Gabbai Rishon of Sharrei Zedek “Jerry was one of the most considerate Congregation which lacked a rabbi for the

Page 38 Tishre 5771 - Vol 35 No. 2 arouNd our regioN: saiNt JoHN last many years. he said. “He took real joy in life,” said Diane, Very family oriented, Koven “taught us the Koven, who leaves wife Marcia in Saint recalling a man who loved his children and most important thing in life is family,” said John, and children Diane, Charlotte grandchildren – and chocolate ice cream, daughter Diane of Ottawa, one of Jerry’s (Toronto), Sherry Sheffman (Victoria B. C.) something he enjoyed virtually every night four children. “We learned to do the right and Andrew (Short Hills, N.J.), and eight before bed. thing at all times, to be honourable, ethical grandchildren, was born October 19, 1919 Despite running a sole proprietorship and always a good person.” in New York’s Lower East Side and came to (which meant he was responsible to the She added her father cared for others, Saint John in 1930 from Jersey City, N.J. store 24/7), Koven ensured he was home whether in the immediate community His father established an ice cream parlour for family dinner every night between six or the world at large. “He did a lot of on King Street West before starting the and seven o’clock, said Diane. charitable work that nobody knew about. department store. “We were in and out of the store and spent He wasn’t seeking fame or notoriety. His Koven was an honours graduate of Saint time with him every day,” she continued. life set an example for all of us.” John High School, attended Mount Allison “He gave each of us support, financially Holtzman noted people who visited University before earning his Bachelor of and emotionally, and was there for us any Fairville Department Store became more Commerce at Dalhousie University. He time and any place.” than customers. “They were his friends,” married Marcia of Saint John in 1948 Report from the Saint John Jewish Historical Museum by Katherine Biggs-Craft, Curator he last few months have been Tank Battalion of the United States army. for the summer months. This year’s group busy ones at the Saint John He has visited Auschwitz numerous times was a very talented one and we wish them Jewish Historical Museum. with the March of the Living Program and well as many move on to university to T also had the chance to meet the American continue study in music and art. Max Eisen, a Holocaust survivor from Toronto, was our guest speaker for our Yom soldier who liberated him. He closed his The Saint John Jewish Historical Society Hashoah program on April 12th. He spoke presentation by sharing a photograph of his held its annual general meeting on Sunday, about life in the small Czechoslovakian beautiful Israeli granddaughter, named for May 30th at which time a new board town where he grew up and the experience the sister he lost in the Holocaust. was elected to oversee the organization’s of surviving in the camps. Mr. Eisen shared As in past years, Mr. Eisen was invited to operations for the next year. Those elected his family’s story and his personal story speak at two high schools in Saint John were : Gary Davis, president; Teresa of liberation by the 761st Black Panther where the hundreds of students who heard Goldsmith, vice-president; Sandra Levine, his presentation treasurer; Katherine Biggs-Craft, secretary; were visibly moved. Rolf Duschenes, C.M, David Elman, Neil In 2009 – 2010 the Franklin, Lloyd Goldsmith, Rev. Dr. Philip Museum held its Lee, Dr. Elizabeth McGahan, Dr. Morris ninth Holocaust Mendelson, all as directors. Dr. Joseph Study Group. Arditti serves as immediate past-president. The participating The summer season is well under way. We students presented welcome visitors through the Museum from their final projects as Sunday to Friday. Saint John continues to part of the Holocaust be a preferred port of call for many cruise Memorial Program. lines and the cruise season, which began Many of the students in late May, will continue until the end presented original of October with the Queen Mary as the music and art work last ship for the season. We will continue to the guests in an to offer the Jewish Heritage Bus Tour for informal setting after visitors and we anticipate continued success the official program with that venture. To further attract visitors was concluded. The we introduced a Jewish Heritage Walking Artwork by Hilari McLeod, art work remains on Tour through an older part of the city. Jewish Holocaust Study Group participant exhibit in the Museum continued on page 40

Tishre 5771 - Vol 35 No. 2 Page 39 arouNd our regioN: saiNt JoHN continued from page 39 our educational Although we anticipated only a modest activities, and success with a new venture, it has been our exhibits. very popular. We have had to increase The provincial the number of times it is offered during and federal the day from one to three and trained governments have additional. They see the area where our also been generous early immigrants arrived, the homes where in providing many our prominent and ordinary Jewish funding for the citizens lived and where many Jewish employment merchants and professionals operated of five students stores and offices along and near Union, for the summer Charlotte and King Streets. We also show months to assist the corner where the late great Hollywood with all facets of actor, Walter Pidgeon’s father had his the Museum’s grocery store and the homes of some other operation. prominent Saint John residents. The stop We hope that at the Museum is the mid-point of the tour you will find the and gives the visitors (and the guides) a time over the brief rest. remainder of the In between tours, the everyday operation summer and fall of the Museum continues. We have been seasons to visit fortunate in receiving numerous project Saint John, to grants from the municipal, provincial and see the Jewish Bruce Washburn, president, Congregation Shaarei Zedek and federal governments and private donors Museum and enjoy the Max Eisen, Holocaust survivor which will allow us to improve our archives, city’s hospitality. A Champion for Children Published Saturday August 7th, 2010 and reprinted with the permission of The Telegraph Journal, Saint John, NB For her work in pioneering and this success is a collective triumph - not championing the N.B. Adoption “a solo performance,” but “a symphony Foundation, Erminie Cohen has been of efforts.” And the foundation’s work is honoured by the North American not done; as long as there are children Council on Adoptable Children in seeking “forever families,” there will Hartford, Conn., which has awarded be a need to promote understanding of her one of 10 activist awards. She is adoption. the only Canadian to have made the There aren’t many people who organization’s shortlist for 2010. The can say they have brought new honour is richly deserved. hope and happiness to hundreds of Under her direction as founding families. Erminie Cohen can, and her chairwoman and board member, the accomplishments put her in the same foundation has found adoptive families league as Margaret Norrie McCain, who for about 800 children since 2002. has championed better understanding of rminie Cohen has played Before the foundation was created, 25 early childhood development, and Dr. many accomplished roles in children a year were adopted in the Marilyn Trenholme Counsell, who has her 84 years, including that province, on average. Thanks to the campaigned for early childhood literacy. Eof a senator. But for nine years, public education and outreach the New Brunswick needs more advocates her resources have been devoted to foundation has performed, that figure of this calibre - community builders a cause that is both personal and has risen to approximately 100 children who realize the true test of any society public - finding permanent families a year - a remarkable success. is how well it cares for its children. for children. Erminie Cohen is the first to stress that

Page 0 Tishre 5771 - Vol 35 No. 2 arouNd our regioN: Report from The Rock by Claire Frankel-Salama

ice to be back. My husband, This past spring we were extremely Messod, and I just got busy with preparations for the Holocaust back from 7 weeks away. Memorial Service. The committee, chaired NFour weeks were spent in Madrid by Dr. Barbara Grandy, included Professor and Barcelona where Messod was Messod Salama, June Mercer, Bonnie doing research on Judeo-Spanish Leyton, and myself, as well as Ruth Noel, ballads, thanks to one of the few Elizabeth Malischewski and Shari Ritter remaining grants in Humanities from the Havura. As the theme was research, two weeks were spent on “Righteous Christians”, both Ruth and I holiday (mmmm), and one week at spoke about our personal experiences. a conference on Judeo-Spanish at Dr. Gerhard Bassler, Professor Emeritus the University of London. The last of the Department of History at Memorial evening we were invited to have University was the guest speaker. The dinner at the Bevis Marks Synagogue event was a huge success, as usual, with (the oldest synagogue in use in the approximately 300 in attendance. Dr. UK) which is a smaller model of the In the “Call” or old Jewish ghetto of Bassler, Ruth and I were interviewed by Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue Girona in Catalunya CBC radio, and there were several articles of Amsterdam. Both synagogues use swell in tourist season, but in general, in the Telegram as well. candlelight (the latter exclusively) they are not growing. One difference is, of Shortly afterwards, Philip Riteman came for services, weddings and other course, that we do not need armed guards to give two weeks of lectures on the festivities. at our front doors. Holocaust to schools on the island, and During the first month, Messod and I Like our counterparts in Europe, we have we were delighted to welcome him back attended services at the Balmes synagogue many activities in addition to regular to Beth El where we held an Oneg in his in Madrid and the synagogue on Carrer services. This past spring we have had honour. Avenir in Barcelona. Both communities, many outreach classes, some in the We were also very busy with the ordering although larger than St. John’s, are truly synagogue and some in the schools. In of Passover goods. Thanks again to small communities. During the generous April I visited St. Kevin’s High School Shimon Wilansky for his efforts. We had Kiddush and Seudat Shlishit, we had in the Goulds and gave two talks and a an amazing first Seder at the synagogue a chance to share and compare our Powerpoint presentation. As it was just which was organized and prepared by concerns and experiences, some of which before Pesach, I brought Matzah for them Barbara Grandy, with the aide of June are remarkably similar. Both Rabbis and to try. Mercer, Bonnie Leyton, Messod Salama, Kosher meat are hard to get and very Shimon and Lin Wilansky and myself. expensive. Assimilation is a huge problem, The following Sunday I gave a presentation on the Holocaust to 40 to Among the many attendees were Dr. although many young people there are James Rosen and his wife, Mary Pratt considering or making Aliyah. Volunteers 50 students, chaperones and teachers who are doing the Asper Foundation (yes, that Mary Pratt) and Dr. Michael are called upon to put forth huge efforts Berman. The Rivkins decided to have their to keep the communities going. Numbers programme. The students were extremely involved and grateful, and the session was Seder at home as their daughters, Ruth meaningful for all, myself included. In and Hannah, are leaving for university May they went to the Holocaust Museum outside of the province this fall. We also in Washington. missed the Rouahs this year, as Robbie and Kelly just had a new baby, Jacob. The following month we welcomed a Mazel Tov to all the Rouahs. youth group from St. Peter’s in Upper Gullies to a Friday night service and Oneg. Since then we have had some wonderful They were preparing to go on a youth visitors: Rabbi Zusshe Silberstein, who pilgrimage to Israel (see picture). We also was here for a conference just prior to welcomed 60 World Religions students Shavuot, gave us two lectures on the from Prince of Wales Collegiate to the meaning of Shavuot. He was very warm, Synagogue in May. Picnic at the Mercers - July 2010 continued on page 42

Tishre 5771 - Vol 35 No. 2 Page 1 arouNd our regioN: continued from page 41 Shul picnic held by Dr. David and June informative and entertaining, and we Mercer. The day was perfect and the hope that he will visit us again. The first Mercer’s cod au gratin was excellent as night of Shavuot also marked the Yahrzeit always. It was great to see Dr. David and of our former president, Sid Epstein, and Christine Wright again, who recently we were pleased to welcome his family returned from Florida. We were also glad who joined us for the service and a special to include Daniel Salama, who is home Kiddush in his memory. for the summer from McGill where he is studying law. He has begun articling On July 16th, Rabbi Shmuley Boteach here this summer, and is leaving to (yes, that Rabbi Boteach), his wife, Debbie, study at the University of Groningen in and several of his delightful children Northern Holland for the fall term. We spent Shabbat with us. He gave a talk are particularly excited, as my mother’s which included much praise for our family lived in that area for hundreds “heroic efforts” in keeping Judaism and of years, and he plans to visit the towns the synagogue alive here in this province where his ancestors made their living as during an Oneg which was organized by Picnic at the Mercers - July 2010 merchants. Dr. Michael Paul. The following Monday Etobicoke General Hospital, was honoured Last, but certainly not least, we have to evening we observed the eve of Tisha in June by a Recognition dinner and mention the great achievements of two of Be’Av with the traditional reading of the lecture. In addition, the Nuclear Medicine our former members. Dr. Robin McGrath, Kinot. department has been named in his who drops in when she is visiting from The following weekend, we welcome honour. We wish to you and your wife, Labrador, is the winner of the Helen still more guests, including Dr. Barry Ruth, a huge “Yasher Koach” and many and Stan Vine Canadian Jewish Book and Lynn Cutler, parents of Rabbi Adam more years of good health. Award this year for her fictional account Cutler, assistant rabbi of Beth Tzedek of a Jewish merchant in 19th century Douglas and Ruth will be visiting in Toronto (and former Ramahnik), the Newfoundland. It is loosely based on with Judy Wilansky, another former Onrots from Florida and the Hefners from her extensive research of the history of member who now lives in Toronto. We Calgary. The Hefners knew our former the Jews in this province. To learn more congratulate her and all the Wilanskys on teacher, Yossi Suissa, and other friends about her novel, please read the laudatory the birth of Zelig’s son in Vancouver. of Beth El, including Milton Bogoch. We article published in the Canadian Jewish As we enjoy the summer and start are constantly reminded of how well News at the following www.cjnews.com/ planning for the High Holy Days, we wish connected is the Jewish world. Our guests index.php?option=com_content&task=vi all Shalom readers, especially those in the helped us with the Minyan, as Ernie and ew&id=19165&Itemid=86 small communities, the best. Remember, Randy Mauskopf said Kaddish for the late when you travel, it is worthwhile Ida. We were also entertained by Randy’s We also thank Robin for her generous visiting synagogues in other parts of the bright and energetic four-year-old, Iain. donations to the Synagogue and look world, and particularly in other small On Shabbat morning we welcomed our forward to her next visit. communities. It is important that we former members, Eugene and Dianne Yet another high achiever who will be realize that we are not alone and that Grumer, who now reside in Florida after visiting in August is Dr. Douglas Wilansky. there are quite a number of us working spending several years in Clarenville. Douglas, who was a founder and the head towards the same goals. This past Sunday we attended the annual of the Nuclear Medicine department at Occasional Wanderings: Germany, June 2010 by Michael Paul “Why would a Jew want to visit husband, Andreas, had to flee Nazi to Shanghai where they spent the next Germany”, asked Mrs. Betty Barban oppression in Vienna following the eight years. skeptically, who at 97 years is Anschluss, literally on the last boat answered her that I was fortunate the oldest member of the Jewish from Genoa to China in April 1939. In to be able to attend a medical community in Newfoundland and fact they were in the Suez Canal close meeting in my area of expertise Labrador. She had a point, as she and to the Red Sea on Pesach each eating Iin Munich, and would also take the her family and the parents of her late a small piece of Matzo, as they sailed opportunity to learn more about

Page 2 Tishre 5771 - Vol 35 No. 2 arouNd our regioN: places of Jewish learning in medieval Germany- Speyer, Worms and Mainz. Upon arriving in Frankfurt am Main, I took the train for the 40-minute ride from the airport to Mainz, a medium-sized town on the Rhine River that was important for trade in medieval times. There is only a very small Jewish community now, which holds services from time to time in a rented factory, as it awaits the completion of its new synagogue. The community is mainly Jews from the former USSR, with a smattering of Israelis. I located the Judengasse along which there has been erected a monument to memorialize the Ohel Yaakov Synagogue-Munich Jewish victims of the Shoah. This memorial Shamess- Erich Lehmann has a plaque and a stylized picture of the Jewish life past and present in the façade of the pre-Kristallnacht synagogue. I Munich Synagogue- Ohel Yaakov areas that I planned to visit- between took the train to Wiesbaden, which is quite main entrance close up Frankfurt am Main and Munich. With close to Mainz. There too was a Judengasse (it was the very first synagogue rebuilt limited time, exactly which towns or of sorts- called the Gasse “am der Alten in post WWII Germany by the state and cities I should visit was the question. Synagoge”, but there was no plaque to federal governments), the old Mikvah, I decided first upon the areas of mention anything about the town’s former and the Jewish museum, built on the the “Shum” region as it was called Jewish residents. spot where there had been the Jewish old in Hebrew. Shum, a play on words, The town of Worms was a major centre of peoples’ home. The synagogue was initially means garlic in Hebrew (the Jews put Jewish learning, with Jews being known destroyed in 1096 during the rampage of garlic on most of their foods in the old to live there for over 1000 years. The old crusader mobs on their way to the Holy Ashkenazi world of Germany, and in town of Altstadt was surrounded by the Land. The next destruction occurred in medieval depictions of Jewish men, remnants of the ancient wall and its towers. the mid-14th century at the time of the they were drawn as holding a bag of One tower near the old Jewish quarter Black Death when the Jews were accused money in the right hand and a bag is now called the Rashi Tor, in honour of of poisoning the wells causing the plague. of garlic in the left hand), and was the famous resident. The current complex The synagogue was brought to rubble in also the acronym of the three famous includes the oldest synagogue in Germany November 1938. The 1,100 Jews of Worm almost all perished. The rebuilding of the ancient synagogue was done in 1959-60 using the rubble fragments mixed with new stone bricks. The reconstruction was based on the many photos of the original structure available to them. They tried to be true to imitate the lighting, arrangements of the seats, Bimah and Aron haKodesh. Somehow the famous Rashi chair was saved. Currently the synagogue is used sporadically for Friday night and High Holiday services. The community imports someone from Mainz to help run the services. The museum is run by the city government and it shows artifacts of former Jewish resident s of Worms - their homes and businesses, as well as articles from the old synagogue. A short distance away was the old Freidhof, or Jewish cemetery, surrounded by a high Ohel Yaakov- Munich- Interior view continued on page 44

Tishre 5771 - Vol 35 No. 2 Page 3 arouNd our regioN: continued from page 43 community. There wall, with a house is currently a small for the permanent synagogue in active caretaker and his use. The community family. The cemetery is small. is divided into ancient I traveled to and modern sections. Nurnberg, the city The latter is closest to made infamous by the main gate. I was the early Nazi rallies, in awe as I entered Nurnberg Racial Laws the ancient section. promulgated in 1935, The matzayvoth, or and by the later war tombstones, were crimes trials. The enormous, of a red city was also home to sandy colour and artist Albrecht Durer, appeared to be of whose workshop substantial weight is now a museum. and many of them The University of about four to five feet Heidelberg was one of tall. One could still the first universities make out the ancient in the 19th century Hebrew script and that accepted Jews Augsburg Synagogue small decorations on faculty without their on stones that were not Heidelberg was a similar story. This city having to convert first. moss-covered. Here and there were the on the Necker River had been a centre of In the 20th century, the university was symbols of the Kohanim, the priestly tribe, Jewish trade in medieval times. There was plagued early on by virulent anti-Semitism with the hands outstretched in blessing, an established community which shared and was one of the first to expel Jewish the picture of a lion or of a deer, or other the same fate of other European Jewish students and faculty after the Nazi rise to animals. communities - a repeat cycle of welcome, power. Despite my carefully studying the exorbitant taxation, extortion, pillage, Very close to the walking path were two city map and hours of walking in the old imprisonment, forced conversions and very prominent stones upon which had city, all that remained was a Judengasse, eventual expulsion only to be welcomed been placed many pieces of paper with without any sign of a memorial to its former back as the ruler needed more money and small stones to weigh them down. One was Jewish citizens. then the cycle was repeated yet again many the stone of the Maharil and the other the Regensburg on the Danube was one of times over. stone of the Baal Shem. The stones in this the few German towns not bombed at all section appeared to be placed in a very The old synagogue was situated very during the WWII era. Its ancient sections haphazard manner, and many had toppled close to the Neckar. One would think are truly authentic. There is an active over. this to be fortunate for those involved in Jewish community in Regensburg. On trade, but, in fact, the Jews were given a The next section had stones dating from my way there, I passed a square named small portion close to the river in order to the late 1700’s to the early 1930’s. Some “Dachau Platz”, and was intrigued as to the suffer the most during the frequent floods monuments were ornate, others plain. square’s name. A plaque explained that which occurred each spring from the river Almost all were marble. I read many several non-Jewish citizens had been sent swollen by the melting snow from the of them, gaining a small glimpse into to Dachau for their resistance to the Nazis surrounding mountains. There is a mark the history of this remarkable Jewish and perished there. The Jewish community on one building showing that, in the late community. Not a single stone had been was small but had been revitalized by the 1700s, the level of the water was well over desecrated by the Nazis during the entire influx of Russian Jews in the early 1990’s. seven meters above the usual water level, 1933-45 period. The same could not be said The complex was surrounded by a wall, wiping out the entire Jewish quarter, and of the ones living in Worms. on which had been placed a memorial ruining all trading assets of the tradesmen. plaque. There was a locked gate leading to The evidence of Jewish existence in Speyer, There was a memorial square with 12 the complex. I rang the buzzer and stated the last of the three towns of the Shum, small pedestals made of the stones from that I was a Canadian Jewish visitor. I was was disappointingly minimal. There was the ruined synagogue, to symbolize the 12 buzzed in and walked through the main no ancient synagogue, nor an ancient tribes. At the front of the square was a small door. On the wall opposite the opening was cemetery. There was not even a Judengasse bimah upon which there was an inscription a painting of the old pre-1938 synagogue. on the city map, only a small mark where in Hebrew to memorialize the destroyed Up a flight of stairs was the secretary’s the ancient Jewish bath once stood.

Page  Tishre 5771 - Vol 35 No. 2 arouNd our regioN: office. She was very pleased to have a The Rabbi and others teach the children it once was. Currently very few of the Jewish visitor and was most eager to show of the community. He told me that when city’s approximate 1,750 Jews are active me around. The sanctuary of the Orthodox the afternoon school is in session, there in communal affairs, according to the synagogue had a linen mechitzah, and was is always a police car parked in front of community’s archivist. designed in the usual Ashkenazi manner. the building. For his own education, he He said the rabbi is 82 years old and not The current rabbi joined us to point many has no one locally with whom to study, able to be too active. They cannot attract things out to me. In my Yiddish and in so he has invested in CD-ROMs from any younger rabbis. The problem of “who is their German, we got along very well. Jewish educational institutions. He said a Jew” is also prominent in this community, The Rabbi insisted on my coming to his he has not experienced anti-Semitism in as he told me the community’s definition family’s apartment a few blocks away for Regensburg, but they are always watchful. is very lax. For example, he claimed the some tea. He told me a few things about the The authorities are very friendly towards current Chazzan was from community such as the Russians Serbia but it is believed that his who had joined the community mother is Christian but father is posing some very serious Jewish. However he is accepted problems in terms of their by the Rabbi and the community Jewishness. There were many as being Jewish. mixed marriages with children The services are more than who may consider themselves 95% in Russian with only Jewish but halachically are not, a smattering in Hebrew. the issue of lack of circumcision Even though the services are which was not widely practiced understandable to the main in the former USSR, and the constituents, no more than 30 or matter of Kashruth. He also told 40 attend Friday night services me that to get people to come to and about eight to 10 come on a services he has to “feed them”. Saturday morning. They rarely His wife bakes several challas use the main sanctuary. The for the Friday night services. He building used by the Gemeinde also informed me that before he not only houses the synagogue, started providing meals in the but also a museum, which is succah, only eight to 10 people used by the city’s educational attended. Now that he feeds system to teach elementary them, he had to build an extra and high school children about large succah to fit at least 60 the German Jewish history, people! especially Jewish persecution Mixed marriages were during the ages. There are many understood as often the person Plaque in Heidelberg near the ancient Jewish quarter by the river Neckar artifacts in museum cases from had few Jewish partners available the old community - Torah scrolls, in their locale. The rabbi told me torah ornaments, holiday items, the Jewish community. The Rabbi told me the German Orthodox Rabbinical court old books, etc. would try very hard to convert the spouse about another historical Jewish site in town, Munich was the final city on my short trip. if he/she so wished and would not impose a low white structure shaped in a rectangle This, too, is a city tainted by its association too harsh a trial or requirements on them. with the word Mizrach in Hebrew where with the very early days of Nazism, and There were problems, he told me, where in the old synagogue’s Aron haKodesh stood. by the massacre of the 11 Israeli athletes one family, for example, one child wanted This ancient site was uncovered several during the 1972 Olympics . The city that to become Jewish and the other had no years ago. was once almost Judenrein, is now home interest, problems that they have been About a 35-40 minute train ride from to a very active Jewish community which dealing with over the years. Munich is the city of Augsburg, quite some estimate at about 10,000. There are wealthy and the site of many great There is a Mohel in Frankfurt who does three known synagogues- one small shtiebl, churches and palaces. The Jewish circumcisions at no cost, viewing it as a a shul in the Jewish section of the city on community Gemeinde and synagogue great mitzvah. For kosher meats, someone Possartstrasse, and the main synagogue, were only a few minutes’ walk from the travels to Strasbourg every two weeks, the Ohel Yaakov, in the centre of town. closest Jewish community at 3 ½ hour’s main street in the Altstadt. This is a liberal When I visited Munich in 1992, drive away. The Rabbi and his Israeli-born community, similar to the American Ohel Yaakov was close to the wife have several freezers to keep their and Canadian Reform movement. The Gartnerplatztheater, but they moved into stock of food. community today is only a shadow of what continued on page 46

Tishre 5771 - Vol 35 No. 2 Page 5 arouNd our regioN: continued from page 45 That evening for their new place about five or six years Shabbat services I had ago. The new complex of three buildings, arranged to be with the connected by tunnels, only a few blocks Chabad Rabbi - Rabbi away from the Dom and Alt Rathaus, Diskin, who has been contains the synagogue, Gemeinde offices stationed in Munich and Jewish museum. The complex is for 21 years. He and guarded by police almost round the clock, his wife run the local and by several Israeli security men. Chabad house which is across the hall in their The Gemeinde is open 24 hours a day and apartment building. The to enter one must talk to the Israeli security Chabad organization has person who sits behind bullet proof glass. about 10 houses across The museum, on three floors, has a kosher Germany as listed on snack bar on the main floor, next to the their website at www. Judaica store. At this visit were curated chabad.org Rabbi Diskin, Israeli artists and their displays. There was his wife and two young also a section of the history of the Jews in children were very Munich, which dates back to about 1275, inviting and kind. when Jews were first mentioned in official documents. I joined the Rabbi on the short walk to The Gemeinde building also houses a the Possartstrasse kosher restaurant called Einstein’s, with synagogue. The Interior of the Worms Synagogue a picture of the celebrated physicist ubiquitous Israeli security putting forward his theory of Cholent on standing room only in both the men’s and agent was present at the entrance but did a blackboard! I had lunch here and was women’s sections. The shul rabbi, Rabbi not ask me any question as I was a guest amazed when the manager told me he was Langnas, was originally from the U.S., but of the Rabbi. Services were, of course, late originally from Montreal, but has been has been with this shul for 12 years. He has starting. After all, schmoozing business was living in Munich for a few years with his a very nice voice and started the psukei the first order on the agenda! family. He only smiled when I asked him d’zimrah before the chazzan took over. The how a Sephardic person with the family A young fellow from Kiev who is studying chazzan was a young man with a very soft name of Sousanna fit in this very Ashkenazi in Munich led Mincha. The people in and melodious tenor voice. The Bar Mitzvah community. attendance were mainly of Russian boy did his chanting of the Maftir and origin, with a smattering of former Polish haphtarah very well, after which everyone To enter the synagogue when it’s not open residents. There was also an Israeli visitor on the Bimah was peppered with candies. for services requires a visitor to undergo and a man from South Africa who had made Both the Rabbi and the Bar Mitzvah gave questioning by the security agents and the aliyah many years ago. short talks in German. I was sitting next to presentation of a passport. The agents keep a man who was both a medical doctor and Rabbi Diskin then led the Kabbalat Shabbat the passport and give you a guest pass. The a dentist. He indicated that Jews who are services. As is the custom, the Rabbi invited tunnel to the synagogue contains memorial members of the Gemeinde are taxed at a anyone who needed or wanted a place plaques and named all of the Jewish rate of 8%, half of which is deductible from to go for Shabbat – an act of Chesed. The residents of Munich who perished in the federal taxes. He lamented the fact that Rebbetzin had made a delicious supper and Shoah. many of the Russians and Israelis in the city the discussion around the table included From the synagogue basement, it is only a are not members. Chassidic stories about great saintly rabbis, single flight of stairs to the sanctuary. The the current state of political affairs in After services ended, a buffet was served staff was very busy preparing the sanctuary Israel and the United States, and many outside of the Gemeinde building. The for a Bar Mitzvah the next day. I met the other related topics. As I was leaving, the way was lined by some of the adults in the Shames, or beadle, a very charming man Rabbi reminded me that, as a visitor to community singing mazal tov songs to the by the name of Erich Lehmann, who was the community, I was invited to the Bar family of the Bar Mitzvah. originally from Mainz. He showed me the Mitzvah the next morning. Aron haKodesh with its eight Torah scrolls My brief trip to Germany’s Jewish beautifully dressed in decorated donated I arrived at Ohel Yaakov at about 8:45am. communities showed how out of the mantles. I took many photos. What was Erich Lehmann greeted me at the door ashes of destruction and annihilation a very impressive was the ceiling made of wearing his top hat and high collared shirt community can be reborn, with vigor plexiglass to maximize the amount of light with cravat. Of course, there was the gold and vitality. Yasher Koach to the Jews of entering the room. chained watch across the vest. The shul Germany. began to fill and eventually there was

Page 6 Tishre 5771 - Vol 35 No. 2 arouNd our regioN: Jewish Community Havura, NL by Ruth Noel and Nancy Bennett

ur best news this year is that their entrance into Jewish adulthood. the Havura held its first-ever Both boys spent many hours learning Bar Mitzvah. And then, like a all the necessary Hebrew, blessings and Odouble portion of manna, we held our their Torah portion with Elizabeth Siegel. second Bar Mitzvah a week later! However, their education did not stop Our First Bar Mitzvahs there. They studied Torah, Talmud, and “Summertime and the living is easy”. But Jewish philosophy and ethics with Arnold this July when the Havura had not one Bennett. Avrum Richler, Debby Brown, but TWO Bar Mitzvahs one week after Ruth Noel, Inbal Bahar, the other – we were all quite busy. These Paul Bendzsa and other Havura members are the first Bar Mitzvahs for the Havura held lessons in Jewish music, ancient – what an exciting time. Several Havura history, symbols, and challah-baking. These members contributed much time and effort two young men also volunteered with preparing the two boys. The families were our Hebrew School and with the Native guided by our Baal Tefilah, Elizabeth Siegel Friendship Centre. This tzedakah project in designing a beautiful Saturday morning involved not just helping out at the Native service and they prepared special siddurs Friendship Centre but also exploring the for both Bar Mitzvahs. shameful living conditions of young natives The celebrations started with a Friday in Canada and how to press government to improve those conditions. The entire Shamus Brown practicing his Torah portion night service and out of this world Oneg while teacher Elizabeth Siegel looks on Shabbat held at the home of Arnold and Community benefited from this experience. Nancy Bennett. The two Bar Mitzvah boys, Relatives and families came from across Klezmers, played at both Bar Mitzvah Matthew Bendzsa, son of Lisa and Paul the continent to be with the boys on parties. Over the past four years, this group Bendzsa, and Shamus Brown, son of Kari their special day. After services we had has entertained at all of our Purim and Brown and Paddy Mackey, their families wonderful meals provided by the families Hanukkah parties. Three party-goers sat in: and out of town guests joined us for this and community with much merriment. The Paul Bendsza, Robert Sweeny and Charlotte- evening service to mark the beginning of local klezmer band, now called the Newish Anne Malischewski. The St. John’s Telegram featured a story on Matthew’s Bar Mitzvah in the A-Section on the Saturday of his Bar Mitzvah. The following Saturday, they ran a lovely photo of Shamus practicing his Torah portion while Elizabeth supervised. Mazel Tov to Shamus, Matthew and their families. Other News Passover was a challenge this year as only the basic supplies came in to our usual supplier—the Dominion on Stavanger Drive. The kosher for Passover meats and dairy were lost in shipment. Apparently the wrong address was given and the products did not arrive. We could identify with Moses and the Jews, wandering the wilderness Premier Danny Williams holds gifts from religious leaders at the House of Assembly Prayer with limited food supplies. However we Breakfast flanked by Immam Mahmoud Haddara, Council of Churches Chair the Very Rev. all survived and enjoyed the Seders with Dr. Marion Pardy, Jewish Community Havura representative Arnold Bennett, and Hindu Temple Past President Dr. Veeresh Gadag. continued on page 48

Tishre 5771 - Vol 35 No. 2 Page 7 arouNd our regioN: continued from page 47 family and friends. We held our annual Holocaust Memorial Service in April, together with Beth El Synagogue. Havura member Elizabeth Siegel was the moderator and Ruth Noel and Elizabeth-Anne Malischewski were on the planning committee. This year’s theme was Righteous Gentiles. Dr. Gerhard Bassler, Professor Emeritus of History at Memorial University of Newfoundland, was the keynote speaker. Ruth Noel spoke about family members who were saved by kind Christians who were made Righteous Gentiles through Yad Vashem. Martin Connolly was our technical expert and Brad Gibb was the official photographer. Other

Nick, Lisa, Paul and Matthew Bendzsa before Matthew’s July 24th Bar Mitzvah the weather cooperated. Music, games say “shalom and salaam”. and good food were the themes of the Social Action day. The Havura furnished grilled trout, and vegetarian hot dogs and hamburgers. The Havura also participated in an Members brought their special side dishes historic occasion. Along with the Council and desserts. Robert Sweeny was our of Churches, the Muslim Association excellent barbecue chef for the day. and the Hindu Temple, we held a Prayer Breakfast with Premier Danny Williams The Barbecue also gave us a chance to say and almost all members of the House of a fond goodbye to our dear friends, the Assembly. Lorne Sulsky delivered a prayer Imam of our local Moslem Association for Newfoundland and Labrador and the and his wife, who are moving to Ontario House of Assembly. Arnold Bennett gave to be near their children and families. Dr. the keynote talk, focusing on the work Ruth Noel speaking at this year’s Mahmoud Haddara and Faiza Enanny the House of Assembly can do to close Holocaust Memorial have been wonderful friends of our Jewish the gap between rich and poor. As part Havura members who participated in the community and served with several of of the Religious Social Action Coalition, evening included Lorne Sulsky, Andrea our members in various organizations. A the Havura also participated in follow-up Monro, and Matthew and Nick Bendzsa. beautiful photograph of a Newfoundland meetings with Cabinet ministers and staff to scene, taken by Havura member Brad Gibb, In May, the Hindu Association held its discuss anti-poverty legislation. was presented to the couple after speeches Fifth Annual Multi Faith Symposium on and reminiscences. We all had a chance to At the Breakfast, Premier Williams reflected Spirituality. The theme for this year’s symposium was The Role of Prayer in Spiritual Growth. Arnold Bennett spoke on the Jewish perspective and it was well received by the audience. Summer came a little late, but the hot weather finally arrived and with it a flurry of activities for the Havura. As usual, we welcomed visitors from distant places as they visited our Province, enjoying its spectacular scenery and hospitality. In June, we held our annual picnic at the home of Arnold and Nancy Bennett in Conception Bay South. As in past years, At this year’s annual picnic we said a fond goodbye to friends Mahmoud Haddara and his wife Faiza Enanny – leaders of the local Muslim community.“Righteous Gentiles”

Page 8 Tishre 5771 - Vol 35 No. 2 arouNd our regioN: NewfouNdLaNdarouNd our & priNCe regioN: edward on the great progress the province is policy with local Members of Parliament. passing of her mother Donna Copeland. making in bringing religions together, and News and Notes: Condolences to Nancy and Arnold Bennett he noted that the provincial memorial on the passing of Nancy’s mother, Doris Mazel Tov to Lorne Sulsky and Heather service after the offshore crash of a Cougar Derrickson. helicopter last year set an important MacDonald on their marriage. Condolences to Sheina Lerman on the precedent when then Havura President Mazel Tov to Martin Connelly and Emily passing of her sister Judith Lerman. Nancy Bennett, the Imam, and the past Wilson on their marriage. president of the Hindu Temple took part August will give us a little “down time” – Mazel Tov to Matthew Bendzsa for winning in the service as equal partners with the except for our regular Shabbat services and third place for seventh graders at the Archbishop and the head of the Council Talmud Study – before the High Holy Days national Canadian Chess Challenge in of Churches in an ecumenical service begin in early September. If you are coming Montreal. attended by the Premier and the Prime this way, please contact us via email: info@ Minister. Mazel Tov to Sarah Pickett and Kathleen havura.org or call us at 709-834-7866. The Religious Social Action Coalition also Hackett on the birth of their son Kohen We would love to welcome you. held an organizing meeting in Gander and Edward Hackett. May the New Year bring you good health continued a dialogue on federal poverty Condolences to Jennifer Morian on the and happiness. L’shana tova. PEI News by Rosalie Simeone

s we all get ready for the High Holydays, here is a snapshot of events on PEI Aover the Spring and Summer. Pesach was celebrated in true PEI fashion with our Community Seder. The Service was led by PEI Jewish Community President John Zarwan, and was attended by approx 60 members and guests. Yom Hashoah was observed over April 12 and 13th, 2010, with a public Memorial Service and a school visit. Our guest speaker this year was our good Richard Chase with members of the PEI Jewish Community at the opening of his art show. friend Philip Riteman. He, as usual, and the youth. Please see the Yom Anne White for further information. connected strongly both with the adults Hashoah Report and the Report from Jo- The women’s Torah Study group has now established regular meetings. “Get our Experience Working for you” On July 2, 2010 members of our community attended the opening on an art show featuring works by Richard Chase. Richard is a summer member of our community. On July 2,2010 , the CIT’s from Camp Kadimah were hosted to a pot luck 60 Years of Quality picnic at the home of Rachel Kassner Full Colour & B+W Printing and Joel Palter. About 22 PEI members attended.

The mark of responsible forestry. Coming up this weekend, on Sunday Cert no. SW-COC-003169 Aug.8 is our annual picnic at the home of Ayelet Stewart. We are all looking forward to good weather and a fun time.

Tishre 5771 - Vol 35 No. 2 Page 9 arouNd our regioN: priNCe edward isLaNd & Cape Yom Hashoah Holocaust Memorial 2010 by Rosalie Simeone, Chair, Holocaust Education Committee for PEI olocaust Memorial was and a slide show. out programmes. observed April 12 and 13th, After the Memorial Candle Lighting, Mr. On Tuesday April 13th, Philip Riteman 2010 in Prince Edward Philip Riteman took the stage. participated in the Holocaust/Yom HIsland. As he always does, he held the total Hashoah programme at Donagh Regional Our two day Holocaust /Yom Hashoah attention of every member of the School. The presentation was lead by the Memorial started with a public service at audience of approx. 200, as he spoke Asper students. Mr. Riteman then spoke Confederation Centre-Memorial Hall in about his experiences. His presentation to 100+ grade 9 students from Donagh Charlottetown PEI on Monday April 12th. ended as it began, with the exhortation and Birchwood schools. The students The programme began with Ms Cynthia to the audience; “I’m begging you don’t Dunsford, member of the Prince Edward hate. I want you to teach your children were very affected by his story and the Island Legislative Assembly, relaying to love. Think for yourself. Never let message of thinking for oneself, and a message from the PEI government. yourself be brainwashed by other people” loving not hating. She recognized the importance for Thanks go out to the members of the The 2010 PEI Holocaust/Yom Hashoah all Islanders to commemorate Yom Jewish Community who helped by programme was made possible by the Hashoah, and included the importance reading out names. Special thanks to following: Atlantic Jewish Council, of the Holocaust Day Act, and the Heather Evans and Leslee Sack who The Conference on Jewish Material contributions of our Canadian Veterans. managed the guest book, and made sure Claims against Germany, the PEI Jewish Ms Joanne White then introduced Asper that the audience members felt welcome. Foundation Human Rights and Holocaust Thanks also go to the participants of Community, and the Department of Studies programme, and the 9 students the Asper Foundation Human Rights Veterans’ Affairs- Canada Remembers- participating this year. Four of the and Holocaust Studies Programme, for Community Engagement Partnership students presented some related readings participating in the evening, and passing Fund. Retired New Waterford Businessman Recalls Earl Days of Coal-Mining Town by Jack Columbus t was “Louis Allen Day” at the Mr, Allen, who followed New Waterford Historical Society in his father’s foot-steps in on a summer afternoon in July as the operation of grocery Ione of the former coal mining town’s stores regaled his listeners best-known retired businessman with his encyclopaedic recounted memories of people and knowledge of the events in the last century when the businesses on Plummer community was in its hey-day. Avenue, the main street and the characters who called the community home. Many of the stores in the bustling downtown of the 30’s, 40’s ,50’s and 60’s were Jewish-owned as Members of the audience at the New Waterford Historical Society listen to Louis Allen’s presentation the town supported its own synagogue and rabbi until the community and the social occasions that closure of the shul. brought people of all ethnic backgrounds and religioius persuasions together. As he strolled down memory lane, Allen Louis Allen, speaking at the New Waterford Historical Society recalled the close-knit nature of the

Page 50 Tishre 5771 - Vol 35 No. 2 arouNd our regioN: Cape Glace Bay’s Fanny Cohen Celebrates 102nd Birthday by Jack Columbus where family and friends gathered to long interest in community affairs and celebrate her 102nd birthday. maintains many daily activities. The honouree blew out the candles on a special birthday cake and thanked all those in attendance for their warm Fanny Cohen, Fruma Shore greetings. A retired school anny Cohen of Glace Bay is teacher, living proof that age is just Fanny a number. Miss Cohen was continues Fthe honoured guest on July 16th at L - R Shirley Dubinsky, Reva Nathanson, Faye David, Ruth Lewin, Diana her life- Tigger’s Restaurant in Marion Bridge Schwartz , Marilyn Zisserson, Edy Lecker listen as the guest of honour, Fanny Cohen, speaks Mysterious Bone Fragments Found Near Hebrew Cemetery in Sydney by Jack Columbus everal bone fragments found Sydney, NS appear to be human, provincial medical examiner searched near the Hebrew Cemetery according to forensics experts. the area and found more bones. Professor in Whitney Pier, a section of The discovery of Parish said from what he was able to S determine he “ didn’t think it is a recent the bones was first announced by Cape forensic case … a missing person or Breton Regional anything like that.” Police in early He said the location of bones can change April. A person as the ground shifts due to frost. walking behind the Officials of the Temple Sons of Israel in graveyard spotted Sydney were also contacted by police to what appeared to be see if they could shed any light on the bones and contacted case. The perimeter of the cemetery police. appeared to be undisturbed and there The authorities were no breaks or openings in the fencing closed off the area surrounding it. and conducted an AJC Regional Chaplain David Ellis investigation. An inspected the site and said if the bones assistant professor were definitely proven to be human they of anthropology, would most likely be reburied in the Joe Parish, working L to R Harold Davis, CBRM Police Rep., cemetery. Professor Joe Parish, Rabbi David Ellis on behalf of the

Tishre 5771 - Vol 35 No. 2 Page 51 arouNd our regioN: Cape Holocaust Survivor Claire Baum Recounts Her Time as a “Hidden Child” in Holland by Jack Columbus olocaust survivor Claire alive when the war ended. Baum lived for three years At first, Baum and her sister were put as a “hidden child” during into a stranger’s home, but fear of being Hthe second world war. She was one of betrayed by a Nazi sympathizer prompted more than 3500 Dutch Jewish children the Jewish resistance to re-locate the girls. who were given away by their parents They were then placed with a 28 year old in a desperate attempt to allow married woman who had no children of their offspring to survive the Nazi her own. Baum said, “We had to hide our onslaught. childhood, and we had to live a constant Baum, now a resident of Toronto, was lie in order not to be betrayed”. the guest speaker at the 10th annual Yom After the war had ended, Claire said, a HaShoah observances at the Temple Sons strange man and woman knocked on the of Israel on April 11th. She was born in Guest Speaker Claire Baum with Mark front door of the home she and her sister Rotterdam three years before the start Eyking, MP Sydney-Victoria were staying in. The strangers turned out of World War 2 as war clouds gathered to be her parents. But the little girls, who and the persecution of Jews grew. The Her father had decided the family had to be split up if they were to have a chance had not seen them for three years, failed Nazis invaded The Netherlands in May to recognize them. of 1940, and the Dutch capitulated a few of surviving the conflict. Of the many The family emigrated to Canada in 1951, days later. Two years later Baum and her Jewish children who were placed with settling in Toronto. younger sister were placed into hiding. non-Jewish families, only about 1500 were

Cape Breton University Professor Launches New Book by Jack Columbus ape Breton University cultural and artistic rebirth. He highlights art, at a time in the United States when Professor, Mark Silverberg the family resemblances between the what was once “radical art” was being Claunched his new book, ‘The New York School poets, identifying appropriated and repackaged as “radical New York School of Poets and the Neo- the aesthetic concerns and ideological chic.” Avant-Garde: Between Radical Art and assumptions they shared with one another Silverberg’s in-depth analysis of the Radical Chic’, Friday, March 26th in and with artists from the visual and strategies the New York School poets used the CBU Art Gallery. performing arts. to confront the problem of appropriation Silverberg,a resident of Sydney, is the Silverberg notes: “This is a book about tells us much about the politics of taste Associate Professor of American Literature one of the most exciting moments and and gender during the period, and at CBU. His essays on twentieth century locations in modern American art. New suggests new ways of understanding literature and culture have appeared in York in the 1950s and 60s was rather succeeding generations of artists and anthologies and journals such as English like Paris in the 1920s—it was the place poets. He received his BA from York Studies in Canada, Literary Imagination, where young artists gathered to make the University, BEd from the University of and Contemporary Literature. He is also a future.” Toronto, and MA and PhD from Dalhousie published poet. The New York School of Poets and the University. Dr. Silverberg specializes in In his book, Silverberg examines New Neo-Avant Garde, also looks at the way American Literature, Interdisciplinary York City in the 1950s and 60s and its these poets re-conceptualized avant-garde Arts, and Poetry and Poetics.

Page 52 Tishre 5771 - Vol 35 No. 2 arouNd our regioN: Cape Glace Bay Shul by Adam Conter

report from the ground as I boisterous mining town. briefly reflect on watching The last remaining members of the Aa synagogue close. Temple Sons of Israel in Sydney Last Thursday I made my first visit live on and are strong. Each week ever to the Glace Bay Shul. I travelled they welcome Darren and Shayna with David Ein to determine which Strong-Allen through the doors with benches my family would remove from their two young sons, 5 and 3, and the shul to own as a keepsake of the watch as they tear up and down the memories of my family history in Glace sanctuary aisles, running full pace, Bay. something my parents remind me The place is indeed hollowed. All I used to do growing up in Halifax. memorial boards are down from the The services are led by whoever has walls, the Torahs and arch curtains government jobs and other small trades. the most energy that day, Fridays, gone and a faint dampness has set in. The The potential here to begin and grow is Marty Chernin, Saturdays, Harold Davis, siddurs have been boxed in preparation squandered by the existing established sometimes sitting on a stool if his legs for burial and the property has been big players and the general population’s are feeling week. Rabbi David Ellis will assessed and put to market for any takers. attitude that nothing needs to change, visit from Halifax occasionally as the Regional Clergy and will always regale Today marks my second anniversary of and that those changes would likely be the small crowd with rabbinical wisdom, living here in Cape Breton. I have taken resisted. The community as a whole the congregants appreciating his effort great pride in my synagogue attendance suffers and sadly, the Jewish population, and the addition of one more body to help nearly every Friday night and Saturday as such as small percentage, hasn’t much round out the 10. morning when in Sydney. These shabbos of a chance. days are filled with mixed feelings as I We cannot forget those who make it to As members get older their health fails watch the elderly members of our Temple synagogue do their part, but a newspaper and our congregation ensures that there Sons of Israel congregation in Sydney report of 57 members is a far cry from the is an update each week on the status of make every effort to participate in what truth. Twelve maximum can be counted friend and family in local hospitals, sad are the final years of their community. on to participate in weekly shabbos as no one wants to be ill, more sad as we Members here have deep historical roots services, and usually we are stunted at 8 need these people to make minyan. in thier community, from its inception, or 9 and find ourselves moving to the Tim The congregation has its largest numbers through its boom and now as it begins to Horton’s on George Street to have a coffee as we pay our last respects to long wither. Two of our most active members, and gossip and where the elders fill me standing members of the community Ike David and Jack Yazer, are well into in on funny stories about my family and as, unfortunately, funerals certainly are their nineties and can be counted on each its history. Where these other reported outnumbering bar-mitzvahs in these parts. weekend to make an appearance. This 45 Jews are is a mystery to me as I grow I have been here for two years and usually brings a smile to my face as these more and more frustrated, weekly, at an know my presence here will not be men are both characters and have a spirit apparent lack of effort from those who long standing. As I prepare for my I can only hope to have at even half their should be more capable than their 94 year next adventures, I do so with a heavy age. old elders. conscience, as I know I am taking a The remarkable thing is how self-aware Cape Breton holds amazing historical person away from a community that the community is of its present state, value with respect to our Jewish heritage. needs people. This however is backed by and the knowledge that sadly there The Synagogue in Whitney Pier, now the expectation of the community that I is not much which can be done about a museum, highlights a wide array of will likely leave, off to other challenges. it. The Cape Breton community, be it multicultural history from what was once I just wanted to give you all an update New Waterford, Glace Bay or Sydney the largest melting-pot of any community. from the ground and let you know that a proper, has little to offer young people, The demise of the Glace Bay shul, which visit out here should be over a weekend. especially young Jews, who typically have once housed both my grandmothers over Come on down and if we can’t make 10, professions. The dominant employer here 50 years ago, is a sad representation of I’ll buy you a coffee. is the Call Centre industry, with some the present state of a once dominant and

Tishre 5771 - Vol 35 No. 2 Page 53 arouNdrabbi’s our CorNer regioN: Cape bretoN & rabbi’s Cape Breton Hadassah Rings Up Another Successful Bazaar by Evelyn Davis

he 42nd Canada Hadassah Wizo again overwhelming. one another since many had not seen each Bazaar was held on May 27th The handmade quilt, made and donated other for a full year. at the Temple Sons of Israel by Mary Anne Cohen, created a great stir Once again, the evening auction was lively TSynagogue in Sydney, Nova Scotia. and Warren Zisserson sold the tickets with and the response enthusiastic. Everyone The co-chairs; Shirley Cherin, Marilyn enthusiasm. The tea room was busy the enjoyed the birthday cake served at the end Zisserson and Betty Shore referred to entire day and repeat customers welcomed of the evening. this year’s event as a “ Mini Bazaar”, but the public response was once

Bazaar Workers L-R (standing) Wendy Cohen-Ross, Ruth Levine, Charlene Cohen, Bazaar Workers L-R Shayna Strong, Myrna Ann Neville, Sheila Murphy, Bargain hunters at the 42nd annual Cape Yazer, Karen Conter, Mary Anne Cohen (seated) Nonie MacLeod Breton Hadassah Bazaar

An Unforgettable Moment Rabbi David Ellis, AJC Regional Chaplain

any of you know I was invited for that. I sent something to be read in my For Shavuot, “weeks” in Hebrew, with many others to welcome absence. Didn’t they read it?” “Yes, they commemorates the end of the Passover Queen Elizabeth on her did. But we want to see you back there next holiday season. Mentrance to Province House. Obviously year. We’ll get the date right.” Passover, celebrating the coming out it was a once-in-a-lifetime event, and I I was greatly honoured by this of Egypt, is not a finality on the Jewish will always remember it. complement. I would only add that calendar. It was the beginning of the But it was not the most memorable thing Premier Hamm was the most dedicated Jewish nation as a free people. But as you for me that day. Something else was. and honest leader of any government I have learned from history, freedom is only As I walked out from the delegation, I met have ever lived under. a penultimate goal. Many peoples have two of Nova Scotia’s former premiers, John My absent words for the graduation achieved freedom over the last centuries Hamm and Rodney MacDonald. are below. LaShanah HaBaah, if not in but reverted to tyrannies because they had no plan to implement their new-found John Hamm immediately accosted me, Jerusalem, at least I will be at King’s. possibilities. “Say, where were you this year? You were For The Commencement at supposed to be at our ceremony at King’s King’s College, 20 May 2010 The Jewish tradition makes Passover the beginning of the journey, which finally College, and you weren’t there!” He was The graduates of Kings are gathered ends fifty days later at Mt. Sinai. However referring to the graduation ceremonies together on this day coinciding with the the experience is conceived, there is no they hold each year in May at the college, Jewish holiday of Shavuot. Unwittingly, a doubt that a heritage was formed at that his alma mater. “But, Premier, this year more appropriate day could not have been time which would guide the children of your ceremony was scheduled on Shavuot, selected, though I am not there personally Israel to their settlement in the Promised a major holiday, and I was in Cape Breton to convey this message.

Page 5 Tishre 5771 - Vol 35 No. 2 rabbi’s CorNer Land and an influence on all religions and this day, as you start a new project of most deeply to us, but there is a voice in us cultures of the West. freedom and fulfillment in the upcoming making the effort. This is the essence of the Shavuot holiday. years. Our Jewish teachers and those in other The tie is made between them by counting A Lost Tzaddik 1951-2010 religions have taught us to be attuned to in anticipation each day from Passover “ . . . I saw a world overturned--those who had been on children, mentally distraught persons, the to Shavuot, in the time of the omer. Days the top were on the bottom, those on the bottom were aged--who make not have or have lost the add up to weeks. The seven times seven now at the top . . .” Talmud facilities and veneers of civilized life but weeks indicates a fullness and completion who are ipso facto forced to search their Some would say these next paragraphs of mission. depths for a desperate call of their voice. should not be included here. This person And so for the King’s students graduating was not a prominent person in the And then on Sukkot, we are told all of the today, the teachings of the Passover / community. In the last years of his life Four Species are required for the lulav. Our Omer / Shavuot period encapsulates their only Mr. Phil Alberstat and myself knew sages say symbolically that all persons--low last four years. much of him. By many he would have and high, learned or not, accomplished or Your “Passover” was in leaving home been dubbed a street person for his style of non-achieving--are all important for our in freedom for the first time. But what dress and unconventional life. community. Like the Four Species, they must all be held together. did you do with your freedom--attend And yet--as I confront the Jewish texts beer bashes and wild parties? Or did you which make up our High Holidays liturgy, So this person, in his unconventional make something of your new setting of I am compelled to share some general way, was from his lost and hidden voice, opportunities? details of his story. conducting his own High Holidays services in his last months. There were difficulties in your adjusting Due to his disabilities, he was not able to a new discipline, just as the Jews faced to hold a job. Our office helped him with I hope that I was able to share some things adversity historically during the Omer some of his needs. He would call on me at with him. I know that Ed Gordon, alav period. But you added days up; you learned times for advice and perspective. When I ha-shalom, helped me understand many new skills. Courses were put together, first met him years ago, I admittedly did things. ideas developed, so that you can now look not know what to make of his questions. upon the whole process. They were frankly not always coherent. Now your freedom four years ago has come But if you listened closer and consistently, Rabbi David Ellis is available for to its goal. With all the challenges, you he was trying to make sense of life. He introducing persons looking for should be able to stand on your Mt.Sinai sensed lately that his time was short. on this day. You will look back at the past However he had lived his life, he was Jewish mates in the region. All saying, “I have accomplished something looking to make his last chapter one of inquiries and discussions are with my freedom.” You are now directed meaning and reconciliation. strictly confidential. forward, with a “covenant” of graduation-- We are now saying for the holiday season talents, ideas and anticipations--which will Psalm 27. It has the stunning words--sh’ma Rabbi David Ellis from here onwards guide your lives. hashem, koli ekra--literally, “hear, oh 902-422-7491, ext. 228 So may the meaning of the Jewish holiday L--d, I will call my voice.” Many times we [email protected] be a template for your achievements on cannot state those things which matter

High Holiday Reflections Ari Isenberg, Spiritual Leader, Shaar Shalom Congregation, Halifax

his issue 2000 that I first led you through a I am now 29 years old and this year marks of Shalom High Holiday season – I was 19 years another transition. Just a few hours after reminds us old. What we did not know then is the final Shofar blast is sounded, denoting Tof the imminence of that the inception of our relationship the closing of the gates and the end of the Yamim Noraim, would fuel a mutual desire to nurture Yom Kippur, I will be on a flight to Israel the Ten Days of an unwavering bond between us, where I will spend nine months studying, Repentance. For me, a bond that has already evolved fulfilling an integral component of the I am reminded that into a decade of collaboration and rabbinical school program at JTS. it was in September meaningful work together. continued on page 56

Tishre 5771 - Vol 35 No. 2 Page 55 rabbi’s CorNer continued from page 55 self-evaluation as a means towards self- Preparing for this season is necessary. improvement and further development of Chief Justice to Speak Give yourselves the gift of meaningful our positive traits. The Right Honourable Beverley reflection before arriving in shul for Erev It is in the fulfillment of this first step McLachlin, Chief Justice of the Rosh Hashanah (Wednesday, Sept. 8th @ that we can then reach outward and Supreme Court of Canada will deliver 6:30pm). Assume for yourselves the task focus on Teshuvah. Teshuvah means the 2010 Dr. Saul Green Memorial of Cheshbon Ha’Nefesh and Teshuvah. repentance. We must carve out the time Lecture on Tuesday, October 19th. Cheshbon Hanefesh literally translates it requires to talk to our family, friends, The lectureship established by the as “spiritual accounting”. Within the and acquaintances, addressing issues that Green family in 2006, is co-sponsored context of our lives, it is a way in which have affected us in the past year. Dialogue this year by Shaar Shalom Synagogue and the University of King’s we are able to evaluate our progress as not only bridges the gaps between us, College. The lectureship provides individuals. It is a self-established marker, but it also diminishes the impact of any intentional or unintentional wrongdoing. the Synagogue with an opportunity an alarm clock of sorts. God wishes for through partnering, to make a every human being to fulfill his or her Let this High Holiday season have the contribution to the larger community. respective goals and to live to his or her greatest impact possible. Reflect, evaluate, Dr. Saul Green was a founding fullest capabilities. Through introspection assess, reach out, talk, and heal. member of Shaar Shalom Synagogue and self-examination, two specific aspects I wish you and your families a Shanah and a graduate of Dalhousie of Cheshbon Hanefesh, we are able to Tova U’metukah, a sweet and good year, University’s medical school. A general evaluate our successes and our failures of filled with ahavah (love), bri’ut (health), surgeon, he practised medicine in the past year. We are then able to use this v’simcha (and happiness). Halifax for almost fifty years.

God, Save Us, Please! By Rabbi Yosef Goldman, Sgoolai Israel Synagogue, Fredericton

have beautiful memories from they got mixed dentist was troubled by this and could not when I was much younger. The up with money eat or sleep, he asked the Rabbi what does new year is a good time for he collected this mean? Imemories. When I was but a baby, or for charity, and The Rabbi gave the dentist the general maybe a toddler, my Savta in Toronto he gave all the (not too elaborate) answer: “the teeth? We would sing to me Avinu Malkenu (Our money to the don’t know! sign from Hashem? We don’t Father, our King) as a lullaby, and, poor (when know! helping others? Couldn’t hurt!” apparently this is what I fell asleep to. some of the What we are asking God in this prayer is, money was When we state this: “Our Father, our King, that although we are not sure we have definitely his). be gracious with us and answer us, though worthy deeds, that do not have a side we have no worthy deeds; treat us with Because Rabbi benefit for us, or even if we took pleasure charity and kindness, and save us” are we Chanina was in getting a compliment which we did not lying? Are we just being humble? How can more pious and strict on himself, doing it fully deserve for something we did, we are we say that “we have no worthy deeds”? wholeheartedly, his Rabbi promised that nevertheless asking that he treat us with The Talmud tells us (Tractate Avoda Zara he will merit and be in a good place in the his ‘charity and kindness’. world to come. 17a) that when Rabbi Yossi Ben Kisma Rabbi Yossi Ben Kisma (and Rabbi was on his death bed, Rabbi Chanina Ben Recently, someone from my community Nachtner) teach us that we should strive Tradyon (one of the Holy Ten Martyrs recommended that I watch the movie “A to do one deed in our life (or better yet, killed by the Romans) came to visit his Serious Man” (2009). In this movie, I really every year) which is in total devotion to Rabbi and asked him a very interesting enjoyed a scene where Larry Gopnick Hashem, without any side benefits. question: ‘am I going to be in the world to (Michael Stuhlbarg) asks Rabbi Nachtner I think that the reason Hashem gave us come (Olam Haba)’? Rabbi Yossi answered (George Wyner) : “what is Hashem trying so many commandments, positive and him (like any good Jew) with a question: to tell me”? negative, is so we can “pick and choose”. ‘have you ever done a good deed’? Rabbi The Rabbi tells him a story about a dentist There is not one Jew who can keep all of Chanina answered that he remembers one in their community who found the word the Mitzvot – not even Moses. In order time when he had set aside money for the HOSHIEINI (save me) engraved in the to do all of them, you would have to be a Purim meal and festivities, and by mistake Goy’s (gentile) lower teeth. After the woman and a man, a Cohen and a Levite,

Page 56 Tishre 5771 - Vol 35 No. 2 rabbi’s CorNer a married person and a widow/er, a king and ‘Hoshieinu, (that would probably be We pray as a community that Hashem and a judge, a free person and a slave, and the only difference between the movie should answer our prayers and bestow the list goes on... and the real life – we, in real life, would upon us and the whole world a Happy This is why most of our prayers, as well, have found that message in the plural New Year! are in the plural form: ‘Avinu’, ‘Malkenu’ form).

What do we do when something doesn’t go our way? How do we treat people whom we don’t agree with or get along with? by Rabbi Ari Sherbill, Rabbi, Beth Israel Synagogue, Halifax

here is a story of Rav Aryeh taken extra the extremely long services to end, year Levin, who while living in good care of.” after year. Some songs we like, some Israel around the time of the One of their songs we don’t, words that are more Testablishment of the state was famous rooms was understood in English, etc. for his compassion and kindness. dark so Rav The truth though is, Rosh Hashana is Among his many acts of kindness was Aryeh asked not about what happens in Synagogue, paying visits to the local jail where the that they be but what happens in our own lives. British officers often took in Israeli’s moved to a It is not about going to a service but before we were given our own control lighter room. rather having a time to think about how of the land. Once while visiting the One room my life is going-and should it be going jail, there was a large group of Neturei was cold so better? Rav Aryeh Karta, Satmar Chasidim who were I invite you to think about the above asked that they be moved to a warmer brought in because of a demonstration. story with Rav Aryeh this year. Let’s room. This group was very against Rabbi for a moment forget about whatever Levin because he was close friends One time, as Rav Aryeh was leaving the we might think we know about the with Rav Kook. For those who know, jail, one of the leading members of the High Holy Days -and think how these Rav Kook, who later became the first neturei Karta group covered his eyes holidays can make me higher in the Chief Rabbi of Israel, spoke highly of and exclaimed, “Close your eyes and following way: The kindness that Rav the loftiness and holiness of the land of don’t look at his face! It is prohibited Aryeh showed, his brilliant, honest, Israel, and especially how important it to look at the face of an evil person, calm, compassionate patience that he is for every single Jewish person to live and he is friends with Rav Kook!” The showed to someone who insulted him there. Israel is so essential to the Jewish officer was so appalled, he almost hit so vehemently - is that a quality that I soul, said Rav Kook, that it makes sense this man. After all that Rav Aryeh had live with? Of all the things I do in my that it was established by people who done for them, the kindnesses that he life- how much is filled with the kind claimed to be secular, not religious and showed, the generosity of spirit and of qualities that we so appreciate in the even anti-religious. These views were time- they scream that he is an evil above story? considered holy to Rav Kook and his person and can’t even look at him?! If the entire world lived and thought in followers, but absolute treif to groups Rav Aryeh said, “Can’t you see how the way that Rav Aryeh did-our world like the Neturei Karta. pious these men are? They are would be a better world, a more perfect So when Rav Aryeh Levin went to absolutely men of truth -for all my and enjoyable world. If our homes were visit the jail and found the group kindnesses cannot bribe them to change filled with family members who lived from Neturei Karta, Rav Aryeh went their views ... what pious Jews...” like Rav Aryeh, our homes and family out of his way to make their stay as Most of us have been to Rosh Hashana lives would be more perfect, more comfortable as possible. He told the and Yom Kippur services - perhaps peaceful. officer who watched over them that, every year. It seems like the same old “these are pious Jews, they should be thing - we force ourselves to go, wait for continued on page 58

Tishre 5771 - Vol 35 No. 2 Page 57 rabbi’s CorNer continued from page 57 or clothes. This is about becoming a “Exploring & Enjoying Judaism At The Beth” God willing we will all see this new year real and pure person, a good person, www.rabbiari.wordpress.com as a year where we become the people a giving person, a compassionate and phone: 902.422.1301 that we should. This is not about ideas, happy person. God willing we will all religion, practices, services, customs become human beings together. Rosh Hashanah by Rabbi Yagod, Congregation Tiferes Israel, Moncton

new year is approaching. remembers. which community you belong to, the We will soon gather to hear A generation sounds and order is pretty much the the call of the shofar as well and it’s unique same wherever you are (each shofar Aas to fast on Yom Kippur. We live customs can has a nuance of difference, but they in a world brimming with choices easily be are essentially the same). This is a and possibilities. There is so much forgotten. universal oneness at the core of the opportunity in today’s world. And, We as Jews are prayers we offer on Rosh Hashanah. yet, we are still burdened with the an international The same holds true for Yom Kippur. responsibility of making good choices. mix because we While the prayers might differ slightly, Sometimes when our existence is have lived in we all fast the same way at the same comfortable we can make a choice to most countries in time around the world. This is another ignore or disassociate ourselves with this world at some time in our history. universal thread running through the fellow congregants and members of Yet, the house of Israel is one. When House of Israel on the most sacred our community. After all, we have we come together, everyone brings a day of the year. The laws of fasting are what we need to live. Therefore, we little from their former host country. identical in all of the various groups can just pick and choose completely. And, so, we possess both the power of Israel . And, so, the message (the However, we also live in lonely times. of remembering and of forgetting. We first and most important overriding The notion of honest, selfless service have a highly developed communal message) is that at the beginning of the to the community has definitely lost structure and yet are, at the same year we are to observe-to feel and to some popularity. The days when time, highly individualistic. Even the internalize-our essential oneness. We family members typically lived in one prayers we say have some differences, are to connect with our very core and city, separated by two or three blocks, such as with Ashkenazi and Sephardi keep the clear direction intact. are long gone. Even families are often customs. The upcoming holidays May Hashem help that we will find so spread apart that despite all the of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur a year for drawing closer together, comforts there is an undercurrent have something to teach us in this connecting with those we have enjoyed of loneliness. Furthermore, it is regard. The shofar, an integral part a close relationship in the past. If in the often said, that the trouble with the of the High Holidays, is considered a coming year we can each find just one eastern world is that no one ever form of prayer. What is so fascinating relationship to repair or revive, then we forgets where they come from and about this is the fact that the shofar is will have absorbed the true meaning of in the western world no one ever a simple sound and, without regard to the High Holidays. A New Year’s Resolution by Rabbi Mendel Feldman, Chabad Lubavitch of the Maritimes

n Rosh Hashanah G-d Rosh Hashanah, on Rosh Hashanah. determines what our next year we cannot earn On Rosh Hashanah we receive life for the is going to be like. What the one dollar more next full year, let us reflect on what our Oyear holds for us, life or the opposite, than the amount wishes are for the upcoming year, what health or the opposite, peace of mind ordained. If we are are we going to pray for. and tranquility, prosperity? deserving we will When we come to G-d and ask for our earn the amount Our Sages tell us the exact amount of our needs and wishes, we need to think in G- determined by G-d earnings for each year is determined on d’s terms, what is it that He needs from us

Page 58 Tishre 5771 - Vol 35 No. 2 Rabbi’s Corner why should He grant us our hearts desire? really needed the money and can’t be let I will use that health to be a better Jew Why should he bring world Peace? Why go. (not only a better person), G-d wants should G-d give us another year of health Then the second man met with the CEO us to be better Jews, to Daven, observe and happiness? We need to give him a and argued why he should keep the job, Shabbat, study, give charity, this is what good reason, a reason that would benefit he was an asset to the company, he had G-d needs from us. Him. developed new techniques in marketing So on Rosh Hashanah instead of focusing This can be explained with the following their product, in keeping customers only on what we want from G-d, let us analogy. satisfied, in sustaining the company. The think about what G-d wants from us. company needs him even more in this Two individuals worked for a company, So as we prepare for Rosh Hashanah let time of crisis. the company took a turn for the worse us make a general commitment to G-d and was going to lay off many employees. Who do you think kept their job? that we will be better Jews this year, let They both knew that they would need to On Rosh Hashanah it’s crucial that we us all make a specific resolution and take meet with the CEO of the company and think about what G-d needs and then we upon ourselves a specific Mitzvah for the convince him not to be the ones laid-off can ask G-d for what we need. We need to year, which can act as the key for which G-d will bless us with a sweet year. The first man met with the CEO and dig deep into our hearts and souls and see argued why he needed the job, his wife what we can give back to G-d, G-d grant Wishing you all a happy, healthy and had just given birth to their third child, me health because…? sweet new year. they had recently bought a new home, he Because if you grant me health I promise

Inter-Faith Holy Land Tour Planned

abbi David Ellis, chaplain of “Many people in the 40-60 age group Rabbi Ellis said he plans to conduct the Atlantic Jewish Council, are greatly connected to their churches. a course, prior to the trip, for the will lead a nine-day tour to They know a lot and are curious about participants to give them background RIsrael from May 11-19, 2011. the backgrounds of both Christian and on the history of the region. The idea for the trip, open to Judaic ideologies. And the Christians Cost of the trip is $2,929 per person members of the Jewish and Christian have a different take on Israel than do with a $590 single supplement, communities of Halifax and Atlantic Jewish people. They are eager to learn plus taxes and surcharges of $570. Canada, came from Elayne Pink and want to learn more about Judiasm, Covered is round trip airfare from and Fred Mack of Absolute Travel its history and even today’s issues, all Halifax to Toronto to Tel Aviv, plus Specialists who approached AJC of which will be discussed during the accommodation, daily breakfast and executive director Jon Goldberg. tour.” dinner, entrance fees to selected places “He responded positively,” said Elayne. There will be a full-time Israeli tour of interest and air-conditioned motor guide for the 44 members of the tour coach. Rabbi Ellis, with many contacts in the as well as Rabbi Ellis and possibly Christian community, immediately Expressions of interest, with a deposit a Christian minister. The tour will came on board, citing the interest he of $500 per person is requested by include historical Jewish and Christian has found among Christian clergy and October 30, 2010. sites. congregants.

Inter Faith Holy Land Tour Escorted by Rabbi Ellis May 11 – 19, 2011

Absolute Travel requires a deposit of $ 500.00 per person to hold your spot by October 31, 2010, which is refundable up to 90 days prior to departure. For a complete detailed itinerary please visit our website: www.absolutetravelspecialist.com It is detailed on the specials page. Custom packages also available. Suite 212-3200 Kempt Road, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3K 4X1 Phone: (902) 455-0886 Fax: (902) 455-0575 email:[email protected] WEB SITE: www.absolutetravelspecialists.com

Tishre 5771 - Vol 35 No. 2 Page 59 Letters to the Editor

Sydney & Area Chamber Sole Jewish Monument During the school year, the Etz Hayyim of Commerce Recognizes on Crete Being Revived is visited by various grades to provide the students with some understanding of the Mr. Irving Schwartz By chance I discovered that you had a history of Jews in Crete. I enjoyed your article about Irving story about the Etz Hayyim Synagogue More interestingly, the Etz Hayyim is Schwartz. He is a wonderful person and in in Crete in your recent issue of Shalom perhaps the best known synagogue in my experience with him, a no-nonsense (Vol. 35 #1). Since I am a member of Greece. This is certainly the case for person who gets things done without a the International Board of Trustees of Israelis since there are many charter lot of fanfare. Several years ago, when the Etz Hayyim I read the article with flights from Israel to Crete from Pessach I produced a documentary about my special interest as I do anything about the until the end of Sukkot. All offer a visit to Uncle, the honourable Senator, Colonel synagogue. the Etz Hayyim as part of a tour package. Jack Marshall, I sent a copy to Irving There are only a few things that I would As well, many Jewish and non-Jewish and several other CEOs of various cable like to add to the article. First a correction tourists from elsewhere make it a point to companies in the maritimes. While the (which I am sure has been pointed out to visit the synagogue. others hummed and hawed, asking for you). The photo of Alex Phoundoulakis The Etz Hayyim is not just a memorial copyright verification, various formats etc. was mis-labeled as being that of Bill for a vanished Cretan Jewry. It is a living Irving immediately took the video and put Johnstone. institution which continues to grow, it on the air through his cable companies While the article focused on the two arson perhaps not in numbers but in functions. in Cape Breton. It was first aired around attacks earlier this year, there is much For example, a Cretan Jewish Studies June 6th, D-Day remembrance which was more to the Etz Hayyim then this. It is a Centre is in the planning stages. extremely significant, as Col Marshall functioning synagogue that continues to In spite of the arson attacks, life goes on at was only 22 years old when he landed survive. the Etz Hayyim. And, while security has with the Canadian forces on Juno Beach Things that are normally associated with been enhanced, it still is a pluralistic open in Normandy in 1944. Irving saw the synagogues are part of the life of the Etz institution that welcomes everyone. significance and didn’t hesitate to show a Hayyim despite the small number of All of this is due to the efforts of Dr. Nikos documentary about a young Jewish boy Jews who live in Crete year round. Since Stavroulakis who was responsible for the from Glace Bay, who was a true war hero the synagogue was rededicated in 1999, reconstruction and rededication of the and a source of pride to the maritime there have been weddings (including our synagogue in the late 1990s. Nikos is a Jewish community. That was 7 years ago, daughter’s in 2004). In fact, there were unique individual, artist, writer, scholar, and I’m still waiting for the other men of three in 2009 and one this past June. and author of the “Cookbook of the Jews importance to get back to me and make of Greece” among other books. up their minds. I really don’t need them There was one Bar Mitzvah several years when I have a great MENSCH like Irving ago and one Bat Mitzvah (in the beginning I suggest that anyone who is interested Schwartz who makes up his mind and of August of this year). There has even should visit the Etz Hayyim website or goes full speed ahead. been one major family reunion hosted by their blog site at: the synagogue. I am forever grateful to him and so is my http://www.etz-hayyim-hania.org Services are held for all the holidays extended family. http://blog.etz-hayyim-hania.org and on Erev Shabbat (with or without a minyan). There is a functioning mikvah, All the best, the reconstruction of which was much like Shalom, Dr. Larry Gaum “Heracles’ labour of cleaning the Augean Dr. Morty Lazar Toronto, ON stables” though it took more than a day to Ra’anana, Israel Dr. Gaum was born and raised in accomplish. In addition, the mikvah is the Member, International Board Sydney, Cape Breton. coldest one in Europe. of Trustees of the Etz Hayyim Throughout the year, one can find Synagogue, Hania, Crete. lectures and concert series held at the synagogue.

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