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MARCH 30, 2014 1929 - 2014 Eighty -Four Years of 1929 Service - to Years 2014 Canadian Jewry Eighty - -Four www.thejewishstandardmag.com
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2 The Jewish Standard, March 30, 2014
MICHAEL HAYMAN PUBLISHER AND EDITOR
JULIUS HAYMAN PUBLISHER AND EDITOR 1937-2000
Confronting the BDS Movement We doubt any executives from Basharat knows the answer. Oxfam have ever visited the Israel’s recent appointment to SodaStream plant at Mishor CERN, the first non European coun- Adumim. Nor, we are sure, has try to be appointed to the nuclear songwriter Rogers Waters of Pink research agency, is for some evi- Floyd ever spoken to Ahmed Nasser, dence that the BDS movement is Ptiha Abu-Selat or any of the 500 losing momentum. Rami Levy, Palestinians who work at whose chain Rami Levy Hashikma SodaStream. If the BDS advocates Market employs 2000 West Bank ever bothered to ask for a tour of the Palestinians, says that Europeans plant, they would observe “talk a good game but ultimately Palestinians and Jews eating togeth- when it comes to settlements they’re er in the same dining room. They focused on the bottom line”. would see Arabs supervising Jewish But in a more ominous sign workers. They would pass by a syn- a Norwegian sovereign wealth fund agogue and a mosque. They would and a Danish Bank are two of the lat- be forced to explain why est entities divesting from Israeli Palestinians employed by banks over their involvement in SodaStream earn double and triple financing Israeli settlements. “Israel the amount they would make work- is getting nervous far too late”, says ing in Ramallah. And that‘s without Gerald Steinberg, the head of NGO factoring in their pensions and med- Monitor, an Israel organization that ical insurance benefits. The Oxfam fights the BDS. “Israel has under- executives would leave the plant to estimated the resources behind the less than subtle requests of this”, he added. And an apprehen- Nasser and his co-workers to mind sive Finance Minister Yair Lapid their own business. warned that “even a partial boycott And so we share the admira- would be felt by every Israeli”. tion felt for SodaStream’s Global Lapid and cabinet colleague Ambassador, Scarlett Johansson. Yuval Steinitz want the government The actress knows that boycotting to launch a PR counter offensive. SodaStream is not, as Oxfam and We’re not sure that would accom- others BDS advocates maintain, the plish much. While we applaud “way to go”. It is not SodaStream every time a Black Coffee defies the “exacerbating the injustice and pover- BDS movement and its undercur- ty” in the West Bank. And just who, rent of anti-Semitism, perhaps we might ask those BDS paragons Israel’s 100 leading industrialists ANITA SURMAN of virtue, would be laid off first if have it at least partly right. The Editor SodaStream were forced to reduce its BDS will end when Israel forges a General News Section work force. Shift manager Nabil peace deal with the Palestinians,
The Jewish Standard is published monthly in Toronto and Montreal by Michael Hayman, B.A., M.A., Editor and Publisher. 20 McBride Lane, Toronto, Ontario M2N 7B8 (416) 537-2696;. Printed and bound in Toronto, Canada by Regal Press Canada. Publication Mail Registration Number 140715545 H Hamilton 2014_9x12_Layout 1 14-03-12 9:35 AM Page 3
The Jewish Standard, March 30, 2014 3 THE WORLD IN REVIEW NEWS OF THE RECENT PAST IS REVIEWED
By NOAH FREEDMAN CAMERA Takes Aim Sean Penn - Jacob Ostreicher, an receive badly needed med- At NY Times An Unlikely Honouree American entrepreneur and ical attention. Orthodox Jew who was Boteach’s article in CAMERA, the Actor Sean Penn’s arrested in Bolivia in 2011 the Jerusalem Post, entitled 65,000 member Boston paternal grandparents were and held in Bolivia’s notori- “Sean Penn, My Unlikely based media watchdog, has Jewish emigrants from ously squalid Palmosola Hero” was brought to the launched a billboard cam- Lithuania and Russia. But prison under brutal condi- actor’s attention by the paign adjacent to the offices the left wing actor is no tions. Aleph Institute, the world’s of the New York Times (see favourite among many Jews. Rabbi Shmuley leading Jewish organization photo on this page) to pub- He is close buddies with Boteach, founder of This assisting prisoners, and by licize its concerns about Roger Waters of Pink Floyd World and known for his Ostreicher himself. Among biased coverage of Israel who has compared the conservative views, admits the hosts of the dinner are and the Arab-Israeli con- Israeli “occupation” to “Nazi that he has “disagreed vio- Dr. Miriam and Sheldon flict. “There is a chronic Germany”. He has referred lently” with Penn in the Adelson. bias embedded in the to Iran as a “great country” past. But Rabbi Boteach Penn, it should be reporting and commentary”, and had close ties with Hugo acknowledged that what noted, has not let his BDS says CAMERA Director Chavez and Fidel Castro. Penn did in this case “blew friends dissuade him from Andrea Levin. “Our advice He called George Bush, Dick my mind”. collaborating with Israel. is to go elsewhere for solid Cheney and Condoleezza Ostreicher was He worked with Israeli sol- news.” Rice “villanously and crimi- arrested in Bolivia and diers in the Field Hospitals Levin added that nally insane.” And he has held on suspicion of money in Haiti following the earth- CAMERA has tried repeat- appeared at the side of those laundering. The American quake disaster and visited edly over a two year period who actively support the was never charged with any Israel to help coordinate the to seek redress of “skewed “Palestinian side of the con- crime and after spending 18 sending of more aid to the and inaccurate coverage”. flict”. months in prison had been country where he resides for But the protests have been On May 18th, how- under house arrest. Penn four months of the year. in vain. And so CAMERA ever, Penn has agreed to travelled to Bolivia to plead has begun an ad campaign personally accept the 2014 with President Evo Morales Guide Dogs in other New York newspa- Champion of Jewish Justice for the American’s release. At the Western Wall pers including The Wall award from This World: The Penn then snuck Ostreicher Street Journal, New York Values Network for his role across a hostile border to a Post, AM New York, and in securing the release of safe location where he could Until recently visual- New York Metro explaining ly impaired Jews with guide the reasons behind their dogs could not enter the actions. Western Wall plaza. Senior Research Western Wall Rabbi Shmuel Analyst Gilead Ini, co- Rabinovitch maintained author with Rick Hollander that Jewish law forbade the of CAMERA’s study entitled presence of any animals at “Indicting Israel, New York the kotel, even those indis- Times Coverage of the pensable to the blind. Palestinian-Israel Conflict” Rabbi Benjamin Lau said the newspaper “with- of the Israel Democracy holds some facts while Institute was frustrated by emphasizing others. The the ruling especially when Times, he says, instead of last October 60 blind Jews telling readers what they who travelled to the Western need to know tells them Wall were turned away. “what to think.” “Religious leaders CAMERA’s newspa- the world over allow guide per ads focus on a 2013 dogs to enter churches. Times magazine feature Judaism, like all religions, which “whitewashed” the must adapt to evolving killer of terrorist victim social norms while adhering Malki Roth who died in a to tradition,” he wrote, 2001 bombing in adding, “It is sad that in the Jerusalem. H Hamilton 2014_9x12_Layout 1 14-03-12 9:35 AM Page 4
4 The Jewish Standard, March 30, 2014 ! = $ " THE HISTORY OF AN ISRAELI SONG THAT WENT TO NUMBER 2 ON THE BILLBOARD CHARTS
By JOSH COX, MILLIKEN ARCHIVES OF JEWISH MUSIC
Pete Seeger, the Tzena,” a BillBoard #2 Top “Tzena, Tzena, Tzena” The Weavers in a Greenwich iconic American folk singer Hit for Seeger’s band, The was originally written in Village nightclub, not know- and composer of such Weavers. Hebrew in 1941 by Issachar ing anything of the song’s notable standards as “If I “Legendary song- Miron who had fled Poland history or even its meaning. had a Hammer,” “Where writer, singer, and political as a teenager and was, at The famous band leader Have All the Flowers Gone?” activist Pete Seeger’s ‘Tzena, the time, serving in the Gordon Jenkins heard and “Turn, Turn, Turn” who Tzena, Tzena’ was a great British Brigade in then- them, and then arranged for passed away on January example of the power of Palestine. Miron composed them to record the song 27 at age 94 is also remem- music not only to entertain the melody; Yehiel Chagiz with English lyrics he com- bered by the Milken Archive but to bring people togeth- wrote the lyrics; and in posed. “Tzena, Tzena, of Jewish Music: The er,” said Milken Archive of 1946 Julius Grossman Tzena” went to #2 on the American Experience for his Jewish Music founder wrote a “third part” to the Billboard Top Hits (the recording of “Tzena, Tzena, Lowell Milken. song, which is the version other side of the single Seeger heard. “Goodnight Irene” would go We Join in Extending Best Wishes to “Until I started living to #1). Our Jewish Friends and Clients in New York at age 19-20,” Tzena is a rousing Seeger recalled in an inter- throughout call to “join the celebration” view for the Milken Archive with “people from every Hamilton and Burlington in 2000, “I knew so little nation” who’ll “dance the We wish you well in the year ahead. about Jewish culture, it’s hora” until “dawn will find We are always pleased to serve you. shameful.” It was in New us laughing in the sunlight York that Seeger befriended dancing in the city square.” some Jewish musicians. In 2000, the Milken “And it was from one of Archive interviewed Seeger these young men that I and Miron during the learned Tzena, Tzena in recording of a new version 1948.“ 9) As Seeger explained, he performed the song with We Join in Extending Best Wishes to Our Jewish Friends throughout Hamilton and Burlington We wish you well in the year ahead. We are always pleased to serve you. H Hamilton 2014_9x12_Layout 1 14-03-12 9:35 AM Page 5
The Jewish Standard, March 30, 2014 5 ! $! 300 ISRAELI STUDENTS HOSTED BY PALESTINIAN LEADER
By FELICE FRIEDSON AND LINDA GRADSTEIN, MEDIA LINE As Israeli Palestinian there for hundreds of years five million Palestinian capital of a Palestinian peace talks approach an before the state of Israel to refugees in the West Bank, state, but without redivid- April deadline for reaching settlers who arrived just Gaza Strip, Lebanon, and ing the city. an agreement, Palestinian yesterday,” Abbas said Syria as well as other “We would leave the President Mahmoud Abbas speaking under a huge places. Israeli officials have city open, and have two hosted some 300 Israeli stu- poster of him and former long worried that a municipalities with one gov- dents in his office to make Palestinian leader Yasser Palestinian insistence on erning body above them,” an appeal for peace directly Arafat. “Let’s first talk about the right of return would he said, as the students to Israel’s younger genera- the Palestinian refugees mean the end of Israel as a applauded loudly. “This is tion. from 1967 and an exchange Jewish state. the meaning of coexis- There was little new of land.” “We do not seek, and tence.” in Abbas’s speech, and he On the question of will not seek to flood Israel The meeting was sidestepped a question Palestinian refugees and with millions (of refugees) in organized by Labor MK Hilik about whether Israelis who their right of return, Abbas order to change its social Bar, the chair of the Knesset live in post-1967 areas was perhaps more concilia- culture,” Abbas said. “This Caucus for the Promotion of could stay under tory than he has ever been is nonsense that you read in a Solution for the Israeli- Palestinian control, just as in the past. In 1948, some the Hebrew media and else- Arab Conflict, and the One Arabs live as a minority in 700,000 Palestinians both where.” Voice organization. At one Israel. fled and were forced to leave Abbas also said he point Bar turned to Abbas, “There is no basis to their homes in what became wants Jerusalem to be both and sent him greetings from compare Arabs, who were Israel. Today there are some the capital of Israel and the
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6 The Jewish Standard, Marc30, 2014
$) ;7)2( )67 $-6,)6 73 7,) ):-6, 31182-7< 3* TOO CLOSE ! 7 -6 %0:%<6 385 45-9-0)+) 73 6)59) <38 FOR COMFORT DO STATE DEPARTMENT AND NY TIMES COLLUDE AGAINST ISRAEL?
By MOSHE PHILLIPS AND BENYAMIN KORN Moshe Phillips and Benyamin Korn are president and chairman, respectively, of the Religious Zionists of America Philadelphia Chapter / PhilaReligious [email protected]) - The Editor Is it really conceiv- he's been talking about it able that the State for more than 30 years) of Department and the New becoming "a bi-national York T imes would collude to state with a hostile minority exert pressure on Israel? If in its belly." If Israel doesn't it seems far-fetched, con- give up more territory and sider: While it's not unusual fast, it will face "a real for the New York Times to strategic and moral chal- occasionally publish an op- lenge" because "the enemy ed critical of Israel, readers is nested in homes and who opened their Sunday apartments and no one newspaper on February 2 wears a uniform but every- found no less than three one has a cellphone cam- era…" We Are Pleased to Extend Greetings to the opinion pieces hectoring the Jewish State. The very next Jewish Communities of day, Secretary of State John Kerry further piled on, by We Join in Extending HAMILTON-WENTWORTH AND BURLINGTON admonishing Israel with Best Wishes to Our We are always pleased to serve your needs. arguments that were strik- Jewish Friends in ingly similar to the articles BURLINGTON AND in the Times. HAMILTON The three columns We wish you came at Israel from different continued success in the directions, but all served years ahead. the same purpose: to try to We are always pleased to intimidate Israel into mak- serve you. ing more concessions. Omar Barghouti, leader of the movement for anti-Israel boycotting, divestment, and sanctions, waxed tri- umphant about how Israel is supposedly "terrified" of what he is doing. On the same page, Israeli journalist Hirsh Goodman warned that although Israel does not actually practice apartheid, it will still face "international isolation" because its policies suppos- edly cause some people to think that it is practicing apartheid. To round out the chorus, columnist Thomas Friedman chimed in with a similar lecture: Israel is on the verge (it must be the largest "verge" in the world - H Hamilton 2014_9x12_Layout 1 14-03-12 9:35 AM Page 7
The Jewish Standard, March 30, 2014 7
We Are Pleased to Extend Our Annual Greetings TRAVEL to the Jewish Communities of HAMILTON-WENTWORTH AND BURLINGTON TALES We are always pleased to serve you.
HELPFUL HINTS FOR THE JEWISH TRAVELLER
By MIKE COHEN
DINING OUT IN rateur in his own right, as VANCOUVER: There are a the owner of The Keg number of kosher restau- Steakhouse & Bar, Hy’s rants in Vancouver, includ- Steakhouse Cocktail Bar, ing the Maple Grill on West Gotham Steakhouse and Broadway, Omnitsky now Joe Fortes Seafood & Kosher on Cambie and Chop House (www.joe- Sabra Kosher on Oak fortes.ca) on downtown Street. Thurlow Street in In terms of Jewish Vancouver. restaurateurs, David We were a party of Aisenstat was born and five on the night we chose to bred into the industry. He dine there and this was an first learned his chops from extraordinary dining experi- his father Hy Aisenstat, ence from the moment we founder of the famous Hy’s were seated on the gorgeous $) 5) 0)%6)( 73 ;7)2( )67 $-6,)6 73 7,) Steakhouse chain. His abil- rooftop garden by a charm- ity to recognize and retain ing hostess named Tori ):-6, 31182-7-)6 3* talented people, and his Simons. It just so happens %1-0732$)27:357, %2( 850-2+732 passion for art and design, she is Jewish and a second $) :-6, <38 '327-28)( 68'')66 -2 *8785) <)%56 combine for what have been year student in Anatomy $) %5) %0:%<6 40)%6)( 73 6)59) <38 consecutively successful and Cell Biology at McGill ventures in the industry. He University. has since continued on to With a commitment become a legendary restau- to freshness, the Joe Forte’s kitchen receives daily local We Join in Extending deliveries, ensuring that you’re guaranteed to find Greetings to the the freshest ingredients on Jewish Community of your plate every day. Let me HAMILTON AND go on record as saying this BURLINGTON is one of the finest restau- We wish you continued rants I have ever dined at. The main dining success in the years ahead. room is anchored by a soar- It is always our pleasure ing horseshoe oyster bar. to serve your needs. This Grand Room boasts large, cozy booths, perfect for hosting a high-powered lunch or dinner meeting, as well as intimate dinner dates. From the mezza- nine, diners enjoy a bird’s eye view of the action and live musical entertainment below. The mahogany- walled wine room offers guests a unique and dis- creet setting in which to
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8 The Jewish Standard, March 30, 2014 " !# ! ! $ ! " " ! ! $ MARTIN SEEMUNGAL DISPLAYS IGNORANCE $$$!$ ! By MIKE FEGELMAN The author of the following article is We Join in Extending Greetings to the Jewish Communities of Executive Director of Honest Reporting Canada. - HAMILTON-WENTWORTH The Editor AND BURLINGTON On January 16, In discussion with We wish you success in the years ahead. HonestReporting Canada CTV Anchor Lisa We are always pleased to discuss your needs. called on CTV to issue an LaFlamme, the following immediate on-air correction was misstated: to remedy erroneous and LaFlamme: “Martin: unattributed statements Explain why that right of made on the previous day’s return is such a huge bar- broadcast by Mideast gaining chip, even for those Bureau Chief Martin who have no intention of Seemungal on CTV National ever coming back here?” News. Seemungal: “Well, Reporter Martin it’s a key issue, because Seemungal incorrectly and they need that right of unfairly stated the follow- return, they need that ing: hanging over their heads all Seemungal: “Their the time. Their families lost right of return, one of the everything, they need that most emotionally charged to keep the pressure on issues of the Israeli- Israel, to keep the pressure Palestinian conflict …” on the United States, and in Seemungal: “The fact, to keep the pressure on Palestinian right of return is countries like Canada to a big one, there are 6 mil- take them in if that is what lion refugees.”
ISRAEL’S SETTLEMENT POLICY CONTINUES TO be a controversial one. The smaller West Bank settlements may yet become part of any peace treaty with the Palestinians. But settlements such as Ma’ale Adumim, seen in the above photo, will never be uprooted and there seems little reason to stop new construction.
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The Jewish Standard, March 30, 2014 9
PETE SEEGER and social activism are since its founding the Milken inseparable. Like the famil- Archive has become the iar refrain of one of his largest collection of of “Tzena, Tzena, Tzena,” birthday, Pete took to the favorite songs, his soul goes American Jewish music ever a three language, English- stage wearing jeans and a marching on. assembled, with 700 record- Hebrew-Arabic, version baseball cap and led the The Milken Archives ed works. Oral history, pho- which the two composed a massive crowd in a sing- of Jewish music was found- tographs, historical docu- few years before. Seeger and along, unwilling—even in ed in 1990 by Lowell Milken. ments and video footage are Miron wanted the message this context—to differenti- Its purpose is to document, all part of the Milken collec- of Tzena to be relevant for a ate himself from the thou- preserve and disseminate tion. new generation. sands in attendance.” the vast body that pertains To learn more about Seeger was known as “The truth is Pete to the American Jewish expe- the Milken Archive go to much for his music as his Seeger made it [“Tzena, rience. Over the two decades www.milkenarchive.org. activism over the years, Tzena, Tzena”] a Song of whether in defiance of the Peace, made it a Song of McCarthy era blacklist, or Joy,” Miron told the Archive We Extend Best Wishes to Our in support of civil rights, in 2000. “May God Bless Jewish Friends and Customers throughout environmental causes, the Pete Seeger and may God BURLINGTON, HAMILTON- anti-war movement and Bless the singers.” The WENTWORTH AND OAKVILLE international disarmament. Milken Archive mourns the We wish you continued success in the years ahead. “Pete Seeger was one loss of Pete Seeger along of those very rare individu- with all those all over the It is always a privilege to serve you. als who lived fully in accord world whose lives he with his beliefs,” said touched. Pete may be Milken Archive Curator Jeff gone, but he left an indelible Janeczko. “At a Madison mark on the world and Square Garden concert inspired generations of held in honor of his 90th musicians for whom music
We Are Pleased to Extend Greetings to the Jewish Communities of BURLINGTON, OAKVILLE AND HAMILTON We are always pleased to serve you. H Hamilton 2014_9x12_Layout 1 14-03-12 9:35 AM Page 10
10 The Jewish Standard, March 30, 2014 MEETING WITH ABBAS $) ;7)2( )67 $-6,)6 73 85 ):-6, 5-)2(6 %2( 86731)56 7,538+,387 %1-0732 %2( 5)% the northern Israeli city of the meeting encouraging. Safed, where they were both “I really dream of born. peace,” she told The Media “He said he would Line. “Both sides need to like to go back and see work together. We need to Safed,” Bar told The Media pressure our government Line. “I said, “fine”, but as a and they (the Palestinians) CAULKING SAVES ENERGY tourist.” need to pressure their gov- INDUSTRIAL - RESIDENTIAL For most of the stu- ernment to end this conflict dents it was their first trip once and for all.” 905-643-8085 to Ramallah, and they She said she was FAX: 905-643-8086 seemed excited by the idea favorably impressed with of both hearing Abbas Abbas. speak and visiting a place “I know he is under We Extend Best Wishes to Our Jewish Friends In that few Israelis get to see. It a lot of pressure from those HAMILTON-WENTWORTH AND BURLINGTON is illegal for Israelis to enter who oppose a deal with We wish you well in the years ahead. Area “A”, the 18 percent of Israel,” she said. “I think the West Bank that is under he’s brave and this shows We are always pleased to serve you. total Palestinian control, we do have a real partner including Ramallah. for peace.” However, as this visit was The idea for the coordinated with the Israeli event came when organizer army, it was legal for the Hilik Bar took a delegation students to come. of 11 Knesset members to “My mother was a meet Abbas a few months little nervous about my ago. Bar asked him if he coming, but that’s just would be willing to meet because she’s a mother,” Israeli student and Abbas Ateret Horowitz who studies invited them to Ramallah. government at the Bar said more than Interdisciplinary Center in 1000 students signed up for Herzlia told The Media Line. the event via Facebook and “But I feel very safe here. We emails to university cam- are more similar to one puses, and they had to limit another than most of us the crowd to 250. He said realize.” there were students from all Horowitz, who had political parties, including four ear piercings, bright from the right. However, green nail polish and an most of the questions orange coat, said she found seemed to come from
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The Jewish Standard, March 30, 2014 11
activists from Bar’s Labor to admit it,” he said. to be done before a peace told The Media Line. “On party. “Incitement is a germ that agreement. Several stu- the other hand, the narra- Several questioners would harm the atmosphere dents said they wish they tives are so different, and asked Abbas whether the and the desire for peace, so had been able to see a little there’s a very big gap in the Islamist Hamas which gov- let’s remove it.” more of the city of way each side sees things.” erns Gaza would accept an Some of the stu- Ramallah, rather than just Bar said many of the agreement with Israel. dents said they had hoped Abbas’s headquarters. students felt that there is a Abbas answered that “80 that Abbas would offer more “On the one had I partner for peace with percent of the people in concessions than he did. feel Abbas is genuine and Israel. Gaza support peace.” “I felt like we were really wants peace,” Tal “They told me, “the At the same time, props for a peace speech,” Tochner, a recent graduate devil is not so bad,” Bar told Abbas’s Fatah has been Tomer Persico, a lecturer in from Hebrew University who The Media Line. “We heard involved in talks with comparative religion at Tel studied international rela- serious things and he Hamas for a national unity Aviv University told The tions and Asian studies respected us.” government that would lead Media Line. “I’m a bit disap- to elections. pointed that he would not We Join in Extending Best Wishes to Our “I think we’re getting recognize the Jewish peo- closer,” Fatah senior official ple.” Jewish Friends and Customers throughout Nabil Shath, who visited He was referring to Gaza last week, told The Abbas’s refusal to recognize BURLINGTON, OAKVILLE AND HAMILTON Media Line. “Hamas told us Israel as the state of the We wish you continued success. they would accept Abu Jewish people, which has Mazen (Abbas’s nickname) been a critical Israeli We are always pleased to serve you. as interim prime minister demand. until elections, but they just There were a smat- don’t want to look like they tering of skullcaps among were forced into it.” the crowd, including one Several of the stu- worn by Joseph Benedyk, dents asked what the from London, who is spend- Palestinian Authority is ing the year studying at a doing to stop incitement religious seminary. against Israel. Abbas called “Some of his for a renewal of a three-way answers were great, and Israeli-Palestinian- some needed clarification,” American committee to dis- he told The Media Line. “But cuss the issue, but said the fact that he invited Israel had refused to partic- Israelis here is a great step ipate. toward normalization.” “There is incitement Despite all of the on my side, I admit it. I excitement and good will, admit it, but let’s discuss it. there was also a recognition And the Israelis don’t want of how much work still needs
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12 The Jewish Standard, March 30, 2014
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A FEW WEEKS AGO, ISRAEL’S RAMBAM MEDICAL We Join in Extending Best wishes to Our Center’s Javier Eisenberg arranged a trip to Chile. Jewish Friends and Customers throughout He packed up his uniform – flipper-sized shoes, HAMILTON AND BURLINGTON bow tie and large red plastic nose – and hit the We wish you well in the years ahead. road. His goal: to bring the Israeli model of medical We are always pleased to serve you. clowns to South America. ‘Marciano’ is one of Rambam’s most senior medical clowns. For more than a decade, he has arrived every day to the hospital children’s unit to bring laughter and levi- ty to young patients. For Javier Eisenberg, aka ‘Marciano’, this is a complex task based on accu- mulated training and professional knowhow. About a year ago, a delegation of members of Chile’s Jewish community arrived at Rambam. During their visit, they met with various figures, among them ‘Marciano’. At that point, delegation member Alfredo Mizrahi, deputy director of Santiago’s Las Condes Clinic, decided to improve the quality of life for children in his country by importing this Israeli model to his own facility. Over long months, the program came together. Several weeks ago, Eisenberg spent two weeks in Santiago, where he delivered an intensive series of lectures and workshops, and established a group of ready-for-work medical clowns at the Las Condes Clinic. “I’m sure they will do fantastic work for the kids,” said Eisenberg, who continues to communicate with the new Chilean clowns, proffering advice and answering questions on-line. Above, Javier Eisenberg visits one of the patients in Santiago’s Las Condes Clinic. H Hamilton 2014_9x12_Layout 1 14-03-12 9:35 AM Page 13
The Jewish Standard, March 30, 2014 13 TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT tell you that everybody over A number of there should know that the Friedman's other sugges- telephone number is 1-202- tions have likewise man- Within hours, these wrote to Kerry. "Describing 456-1414,' Mr. Baker said. aged to end up in the arguments made their way the potential for expanded 'When you're serious about mouths of those on whom from the pages of the Times boycotts of Israel makes it peace, call us.' he was ostensibly reporting. to the mouth of the secre- more, not less, likely…that tary of the state. Speaking boycotts will ensue." Readers of the Times For a number of years, in Munich, of all places, Thomas Friedman's had no way to know that Friedman has been urging John Kerry told reporters role in all of this deserves Friedman had crossed the that a NATO force be sta- that if the status quo special scrutiny, because he line from journalism, that tioned in between Israel and between Israel and the seems to be smack in the he was in fact Baker's infor- the Palestinians, as a way of Palestinian Arabs contin- middle of such controver- mal adviser. The cat got out coaxing the Israelis to with- ues, then "for Israel, there’s sies so often. of the bag five years later. draw from the Judea- an increasing delegitimiza- One of the earliest No doubt much to Samaria territories. Lo and tion campaign that has was in 1990. On June 14, Friedman's embarrassment, behold, Palestinian been building up. People are Friedman wrote a major Baker revealed in his 1995 Authority chief Mahmoud very sensitive to it. There news article in the Times autobiography that the idea Abbas announced, in an are talks of boycotts and about how Israel's "hard- to sarcastically recite the interview last week with other kinds of things.” line" government was White House phone number Friedman and another Israeli officials and undermining Secretary of in order to show up the Times staffer, that he favors American Jewish leaders State James Baker kind- Israelis "came from Thomas stationing a NATO force in were understandably upset hearted attempts to come Friedman." It turns out that the territories. that Kerry was creating a up with some "new think- the reporter and the secre- In 2012, Friedman kind of self-fulfilling ing" about peace terms. tary of state had been ten- started boosting David prophecy. "As the key play- Friedman wrote: "To drive nis partners for many years, Makovsky, a little-known er in the process, the home that point to the and "I occasionally asked analyst at a Washington impact of your comments Israelis, the Secretary of Friedman to share his think tank. Friedman was to create a reality of its State gave them President thoughts with me on an off- helped publicize some maps own," Abraham Foxman of Bush's White House tele- the-record basis," Baker Makovsky had drawn up the Anti-Defamation League phone number. 'I have to wrote. We Join in Extending Best wishes to Our Jewish Friends and Customers throughout HAMILTON AND BURLINGTON We wish you well in the years ahead. We are always pleased to serve you.
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14 The Jewish Standard , March 30, 2014 TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT the Israeli-Palestinian nego- the Stars (www.tuts.ca) at tiations, especially on the Malkin Bowl. The pro- issues such as the Jordan gram’s best of Broadway which proposed, in detail, year later, Makovsky was Valley, sound remarkably musicals have been delight- how Israel should withdraw hired by the State like what Makovsky and his ing audiences in Stanley from the territories. In one Department as part of the magical maps have been Park since 1940. Every of his Times columns, team crafting the path to a promoting. July and August they pre- Friedman even listed the Palestinian state. Some of Is it all just a coinci- sent two wonderful produc- URL so everyone else could the recent media descrip- dence? Maybe. Or maybe tions on alternating nights. see Makovsky's maps. A tions of the U.S. position in it's a troubling case of a The summer of 2013 fea- newspaper, which is sup- tured Legally Blonde and $) ;7)2( 85 )67 $-6,)6 73 7,) posed to be objective and How to Succeed in Business ):-6, 31182-7-)6 3* impartial, getting a little too Without Really Trying on ! $ !$ ! cozy with some of the poli- " ! cies and proposals of those on whom it is supposed to $) :-6, <38 '327-28)( 68'')66 -2 7,) <)%56 %,)%( We Extend be reporting. Best Wishes to $) %5) %0:%<6 40)%6)( 73 6)59) <38 As far back as his college days at Brandeis Our Jewish Friends in University, Friedman told Burlington, Hamilton the student newspaper, The and Oakville Brandeis Justice (February We wish you well in 11, 1975) that his career the years ahead. goal "is to work in the for- We are always eign service [i.e. the State Department] at the Middle privileged to East desk." The reporter serve you added: "He is likely to suc- ceed." And perhaps he has. • TRAVEL TALES enjoy an intimate lunch, or We Join in Extending Best Wishes to the a private corporate celebra- Jewish Communities of tion. The more casual side HAMILTON-WENTWORTH AND BURLINGTON of Joe’s is experienced in We wish you well in the years ahead. the bistro and bar area We are always pleased to serve you. where locals and out-of- towners alike mingle, soak up the live music and keep their eyes open for visiting celebrities. The restaurant has $) ;7)2( 85 been specializing in classic, )67 $-6,)6 73 7,) American cuisine since ):-6, 31182-7-)6 3* 1985. Its kitchen prepares ! each dish with a focus on $) :-6, <38 '327-28)( natural flavours and fea- 68'')66 -2 7,) tures the finest ingredients <)%56 %,)%( collected from Pacific $) %5) %0:%<6 40)%6)( Northwest farmers, fisher- 73 6)59) <38 men and food artisans. Serving more than 50 kinds of fresh fish, including their legendary three-tiered Seafood Tower on Ice, pre- mium oysters and succu- lent chops, their signature dishes have become a favourite of locals, celebri- ties and tourists alike. LIVE THEATRE: If you are planning a summer visit to Vancouver, then you must include Theatre Under H Hamilton 2014_9x12_Layout 1 14-03-12 9:35 AM Page 15
$) ;7)2( )67 $-6,)6 73 85 ):-6, 5-)2(6 %2( 86731)56 7,538+,387 ! " ! $) %5) %0:%<6 40)%6)( 73 6)59) <38 H Hamilton 2014_9x12_Layout 1 14-03-12 9:35 AM Page 16
16 The Jewish Standard, March 30, 2014 TRAVEL TALES We Extend Best Wishes to Our Jewish Friends the stage. My family and I Revue Stage and travels the throughout saw the former, purchasing province. Hamilton-Wentworth and Burlington. our tickets online. Reserved While w e were in tickets are $29 to $42 for town, t he Arts C lub was We wish you well in the years ahead. adults and $24 to $29 for presenting the Tony Award We are always privileged to serve you. children and youth. We winning Avenue Q. really enjoyed our second Originally conceived as a experience of watching the- television series, Avenue Q’s atre “under the stars. "autobiographical and b io- Also check out the graphical" coming of ag e magnificent Arts Club parable was d eveloped as a Theatre Company stage product ion at t he (www.artsclub.com) at 1585 2002 N ational Music Johnston Street next to the Theatre Conferen ce at the public market. Shows are Eugene O'N eill Theater Tuesday through Sundays Center in Wate rford, at what is called Western Connecticut. Also coming Canada’s largest not for up are Kim’s Convenience, profit organization of its April 24 t o May 24; kind, having been in opera- Spamalot May 8 to June 29; tion for 49 years. I spoke and Red Rock Diner, June with Bill Millerd, the man- 19 to Aug 2. aging director. He recounted Mike Cohen’s email with pride how professional a d d r e s s i s i n f o @ theatre is offered at three mikecohen .ca. Follow his venues: the Stanley travels at www.sandbox- Industrial Alliance Stage: world .com/travel and on Granville Island Stage; Twitter @mikecohencsl.
$) ;7)2( )67 $-6,)6 73 7,) ):-6, 31182-7-)6 3* ! $ !$ ! " ! $) :-6, <38 '327-28)( 68'')66 -2 7,) <)%56 %,)%( $) %5) %0:%<6 45-9-0)+)( 73 6)59) <38 #"! # !! "
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The Jewish Standard, March 30, 2014 17 CTV GETS IT WRONG We Extend Best Wishes to they choose, so that is why “right of return” would in Our Jewish Friends and Customers this issue is not going to go essence negate Israel’s abil- away.” ity to be a Jewish state. throughout Perhaps Seemungal Palestinians, by virtue of a should watch a CBC report higher birthrate, would turn Hamilton-Wentworth and Burlington on the refugee situation: “To Jews into a minority before the Palestinians and other voting in favour of another We wish you well in the years ahead. Arabs who lived in the same Muslim Arab state in place territory, it is known as the of Israel. Surely Israel, We are always privileged to serve you. Catastrophe. Many people Canada, and the U.S., were expelled or fled as the would not support such a Israelis repulsed their proposition which at its attackers. Statehood for most basic level denies the Israel left more than right of Jews to self-deter- 700,000 Palestinians as mination in their historical refugees, according to UN homeland and calls into estimates from 1950.” question the very legitimacy In reality, there of Israel as a state. were only 700,000 dis- The demands of the placed Palestinians follow- “right of return” of ing Israel’s war of Palestinian refugees and Independence. The rest their descendants to Israel claim to be descendants of proper, as opposed to a refugees. There were never future Palestinian State 6 million refugees. numbered at approximately Reporter Seemungal 5 million, would make Israel misled viewers by repeated- a Palestinian-Arab majority ly using the term “right of state or what is termed a return” without any due one-state solution. While explanation. His report this demand is clearly unac- made it appear as if this ceptable for any sovereign claim was an accepted fact, country, it is a non-nego- but it is simply a claim tiable demand for the made by Palestinians with Palestinian leadership. And out standing in internation- it explains why Palestinian al law. When referring to leader Mahmoud Abbas this claim, CTV journalists refuses to unequivocally have a responsibility to at recognize a Jewish state. least state this in attribu- Seemungal implies tion. and tacitly advocates that The so-called “right lease turn to following page)
We Extend Best Wishes to Our Jewish Friends and Clients throughout Hamilton-Wentworth and Burlington. We wish you well in the years ahead. We are always privileged to serve you heath care needs.
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18 The Jewish Standard, March 30, 2014 CTV GETS IS WRONG WORLD IN REVIEW Palestinian refugees ought objective and to not advo- State of Israel, at the site her the title of ‘America’s to have the right to move to cate for one interest over most sacred to the Jewish Islamophobia Matriarch’, Israel proper (“they need another. Perhaps not inten- people, religious arguments Daniel Pipes, and that right of return.. Their tional, but that is exactly are used to exclude believ- Republican David Agema, families lost everything, what Mr. Seemungal has ers from participating in Harper was given they need that to keep the done. public prayer because of serious consideration for pressure on Israel”), as We are hopeful that their physical disability.” the “honour” for his backing opposed to a future state in CTV News will promptly Lau and Rabbi of Bill S-7: the Combating Gaza or the West Bank, and address this matter by pro- Rabinovitch then got Terrorism Act, which gives he does not address the im- ducing an immediate on-air together and examined authorities the power to plications of this one-state corrective. A matter we also Jewish law. Rabinovitch solution or the loss of the brought to the attention of was ultimately persuaded to We Extend Best Wishes to Jewish character Israel. the Canadian Broadcast amend his ruling. Visually Our Jewish Friends CTV journalists are Standards Council (CBSC). impaired worshippers are throughout tasked to be neutral and Stay tuned. now free to walk up to the Hamilton-Wentworth wall with their dogs and and Burlington. touch the holy stones. /+ & *+ "*! * +' ,) ."*! )" & * We wish you well in the +!)', !',+ %"$+'& ,)$"& +'& & #-"$$ years ahead. Disney Fires We are always privileged Arabic Donald Duck to serve you.
Wael Monsour has been the voice of Disney’s Donald Duck in cartoons dubbed into Arabic. But Monsour has become too politically sensitive for Disney. Monsour recently tweeted that “I truly wish #Israel is demolished. I hate Zionism. I have so much hate inside me with every single child they mur- der or land they seize”. After he was fired Monsour did not exactly go quietly into the night. He tweeted that he was proud We Extend of his termination and was Best Wishes to not apologizing for his Our Jewish Friends rants. throughout Hamilton-Wentworth No Islamophobia Prize and Burlington. For Stephen Harper We wish you well in the years ahead. The Islamic Human We are privileged Rights Commission has handed out its awards for to serve you. the person with the most hostile policies towards Muslims. And while Prime Minister Harper made it to the shortlist of the Americas category, he was apparent- ly not worthy of the grand prize. That distinction, it is rather difficult to believe, went to President Barack Obama. Other finalists included Pamella Geller, whose criticisms of Islam and Muslims had earned
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The Jewish Standard, March 30, 2014 19 WORLD IN REVIEW $) 5) 0)%6)( 73 ;7)2( )67 $-6,)6 73 7,) apply restrictions on the ians. ):-6, 31182-7-)6 3* freedom of individuals sus- Other “winners” ! $ !$ ! pected of involvement in ter- from around the world rorism. include Raheem Kassam of " ! But Harper was no the Students Rights move- $) :-6, <38 '327-28)( 68'')66 -2 *8785) <)%56 match for Obama. He was ment in the United nominated for “just about Kingdom; General el-Sisi, $) %5) %0:%<6 40)%6)( 73 6)59) <385 2))(6 everything” - his failure to the Egyptian “coup” leader; close Guantanamo Bay and Aung San Suu Kyi, opposi- HAMILTON COMMUNITY the use of Drones in the tion leader in Myanmar and Muslim world, which the Geret Wilders of the X-RAY & DIAGNOSTIC IHRC argues has killed Netherlands Freedom Party. thousands of innocent civil- CLINIC Get Off $) ;7)2( )67 $-6,)6 At Auschwitz GENERAL RADIOLOGY & ULTRASOUND 73 85 ):-6, CAR Accredited Mammography 5-)2(6 %2( %75326 Jews aboard a Bone Density Belgian train bound to 7,538+,387 NO APPOINTMENT NEEDED FOR Brussels from Namur were GENERAL X-RAYS ! subjected to the cruellest " ! form of anti-Semitism recently, Over the loud- 414 Victoria North 905 546-5644 $) -29-7) <38 73 )2.3< speaker came a message in Hamilton, Ontario 385 *-2) '8-6-2) %2( French: “Ladies and *5-)2(0< %1&-%2') Gentlemen, we are approaching Auschwitz. All Jews are requested to dis- We Extend Best Wishes to Our Jewish embark and take a short Friends and Customers throughout shower”. HAMILTON AND BURLINGTON Apparently the sus- pects gained access to the We wish you continued success speaker system during rush in the years ahead. hour by stealing the con- It is always a privilege to serve you. ductor’s keys used to make announcements over the loudspeakers. The Belgian railway SNCB has filed a complaint with police over incitement to hatred. A similar incident
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20 The Jewish Standard, March 30, 2014 occurred in 2012 aboard Yanukovych was a perfectly $) ;7)2( )67 $-6,)6 73 85 ):-6, the same train. “Welcome to justifiable one and he 5-)2(6 %2( %7-)276 7,538+,387 this train heading to denied the “hundreds of ! Auschwitz”, said the voice. Jews who stood on Maidan” $) :-6, <38 :)00 -2 7,) <)%56 %,)%( “All Jews are requested to were the victims of any seri- $) %5) %0:%<6 40)%6)( 73 (-6'866 <385 ()27%0 2))(6 disembark at Buchenwald.” ous anti-Semitism. He The suspects in this case believes that the few attacks were never caught. on Jews in the square were the work of those trying to Ukrainian Jews discredit the Maidan move- Not United ment. Finberg pointed to the Ukrainian born soldier There are some who participated in the 70,000 Jews living in the protest movement, the Ukraine. 17,000 Jews live klezmer band he saw there in the Russian occupied and the many tzitzit and Crimea. The Russians kippot on display as evi- maintain they are there to dence of the Jewish pres- protect Ukraine’s Russian ence in the marches. minority and to suppress Ukraine’s famed the anti-Semitism of artist Alexander Roitburd Ukraine’s far right national- echoed Finberg’s state- ist movement. ments. “Is Ukraine’s future Not surprisingly the in the context of modern Jews of Kiev who participat- civilization”, he asked, “or We Extend Best Wishes to Our Jewish ed in the Maidan protests forever trapped in a post- see things somewhat differ- Soviet space?” “Can we Friends and Customers throughout ently than those living in allow mindless people to Odessa. drag us into a third World HAMILTON AND BURLINGTON To Arseniy Finberg, War”, he continued. We wish you continued success a director of a tourist com- Yet in eastern pany, the attempt to oust Ukraine these sentiments in the years ahead. It is always a privilege to serve you.
ISRAELIS AND PALESTINIANS FLOCK TO ONE OF the three Rami Levy supermarkets in the West Bank. Walk into the above market at Sha’ar Binyamin and you will see both Jewish and Palestinian employees. While the Palestinian Authority discourages its West Bank citizens from patronizing Jewish owned businesses, that does not stop residents of Ramallah and other West Bank towns and villages from taking advantage of the lower prices than they would find in their own West Bank stores. And if security is a concern, it is hardly in evidence. A “senior” citizen at the door gives a perfunctory look at the bill to ensure that shoppers have paid for their goods.
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The Jewish Standard, March 30, 2014 21
not shared. “The national- other Jews in the east the recite a blessing at the ser- ability to agree to those ists are Nazis”, says Inna new government is not a vice. For his efforts Yeshiva principles.” Olar, and information-tech- legitimate one. “It came to University sent the student But now Yeshiva has nology manager. She power in a coup”, she says a letter advising him that it been forced to back down believes the nationalists are defiantly. would deny him Semikha and says it will grant the anti-Semitic and points to Still most of unless he agreed to defer to student ordination. When their SS symbols and their Ukraine’s Jews are cau- the opinions of “recognized the original letter was loyalty to Stepan Bandera, tiously optimistic that the poskim”, arbitrators of released a storm of criticism who believed Jews were post Maidan era will ulti- Jewish law. It asked the followed. Rabbi Josh Yuter, agents of Soviet imperial- mately turn out for the best. student to reply”in writing, who graduated in 2003 and ism. For Olga and many Even those who are uncom- affirming or denying your is presently rabbi of fortable with what tran- $) 3-2 -2 ;7)2(-2+ )67 spired at Maidan acknowl- $-6,)6 73 85 ):-6, edge that Yanukovych was a '"& "& /+ & "& *+ "*! * +' 5-)2(6 %2( %7-)276 totalitarian leader who 7,538+,387 deserved what he got. Their ,) ."*! )" & * +!)', !',+ ! hope is that the nationalists " ! won’t be in the ascendancy $) :-6, <38 :)00 -2 7,) for long and that a “reason- <)%56 %,)%( able person” will assume $) %5) %0:%<6 40)%6)( 73 the presidency. (-6'866 <385 2))(6 ) $.0* ($ * +' * )- 0', Yeshiva University Backtracks
Partnership minyans, in which women lead certain parts of the prayer service, are frowned upon by many “traditional” Orthodox rabbis. But a Yeshiva University rab- binical student, identified thus far only as “Shalom”, held a partnership minyan in his home at the request of his ailing wife who wanted to H Hamilton 2014_9x12_Layout 1 14-03-12 9:35 AM Page 22
22 The Jewish Standard, March 30, 2014
Manhattan’s Stanton Street graduated on March 23 We Extend Best Wishes to Our Jewish Synagogue, criticized after Yeshiva University and Friends and Customers throughout Yeshiva University for “Shalom” reached an agree- assuming that graduates do ment that his actions would St. Catharines and Area. not have the authority to be “reflective of his commit- make Jewish legal deci- ment to the principles of our We wish you continued success sions. “That’s not what institution.” We are always privileged to serve you. semikha is,” said Rabbi Yuter. Tzvee Zahavy, a for- We Extend mer University of Minnesota professor who received ordi- Best Wishes to Our nation in 1973, added that Jewish Friends and “there’s no asterisk on my Clients throughout semikha certificate saying, you have the authority, but St. Catharines and Area you have to check with us It is our privilege to first.” Rabbi Zahavy even wrote to the Yeshiva’s Rabbi serve you. Menachem Penner asking whether he would revoke his ordination because of his position. “I doubt that’ necessary” was the reply. The YU student
'"& "& /+ & "& *+ "*! * +' ,) ."*! )" & * +!)', !',+ + +!)"& * " ) $$* $$& & *,))',& "& ) * ."*! 0', . $$ "& +! 0 )* ! We Join in Extending Best Wishes to Our ) $.0* ($ * +' * )- 0', Jewish Friends and Customers in ST. CATHARINES AND AREA We wish you well in the years ahead. VIVIAN BERCOVICI IS We are always pleased to Canada’s recently serve you. appointed Ambassador to Israel. Bercovici studied at the Hebrew University from 1981 to 1982 and has written a monthly column for the Toronto Star since January of 2013. She holds a BA Honours in English and Political Science from York University, a diploma in International Relations from the London School of Economics and Political science and a LLB from the University of Toronto.
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