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PMO Prime Minister Justin Trudeau looks on as Heritage Minister Melanie Joly lights one of the six Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (centre) in quiet contemplation at the eternal flame during a visit memorial candles at the inauguration of the National Holocaust Monument, September 27, at to the National Holocaust Monument, September 27. the Canadian War Museum. Trudeau inaugurates National Holocaust Monument in Ottawa

BY BENITA BAKER through Ottawa causing the ceremony turn away Jewish refugees aboard the without a national Holocaust monument, eclaring the long overdue to be moved indoors to the Canadian MS St. Louis. she began lobbying politicians to pass monument to be a place where War Museum across the street. “May this monument remind us to a private members bill to create one. the story of the Holocaust and The mood was sombre, yet also always open our arms and our hearts The bill became law in March 2011 and its survivors is brought to life, inspiring, at the invitation-only event. to those in need and may it continue to the process of finding a site, selecting a DPrime Minister Justin Trudeau inaugur- Surrounded by tanks and fighter planes, reflect the true resilience of the human design and raising funds began. ated the National Holocaust Monument the horrors of the Holocaust were spirit as we pledge today to stay hopeful The monument, located across from in Ottawa on September 27. brought to life by the stories of survivors and to never, ever forget,” he said. the Canadian War Museum at the cor- “We now have a place here in the Eva Kuper and Georgette Brinberg, and Heritage Minister Melanie Joly ner of the Sir John A. Macdonald Park- nation’s capital where families can the robust voice of Holocaust survivor described the monument as “not just way and Booth Street, features large come together to learn, to ask tough Philip Goldig, singing a cappella the a symbol of the past but a reminder of soaring concrete walls that rise up to questions, to grieve and to remember,” haunting Yiddish/English song “Ghetto.” our collective responsibility.” form a Star of David. said the prime minister, who began “We must confront the ugly truth that Reminding the crowd that, “it is Entitled Landscape of Loss, Memory his address by wishing the gathering a anti-Semitism is not just a thing of the incumbent on each and every one of us and Survival, the monument is intended “Shana Tova.” past in Canada,” said the prime minister. to never forget that our diversity is our to not only commemorate victims and Ironically, a streak of record-setting “We need to stand up every day against strength,” Joly concluded her remarks honour Canadian survivors but also to hot and sunny weather was brought to the cruelty, hatred and the indifference saying, “L’chaim, à la vie, to life.” convey a sense of hope. an abrupt end less than an hour before that made the Holocaust possible.” In 2007, when then-University of It includes a large gathering space for the scheduled 4 pm start of the ceremo- As he has in the past, Trudeau noted Ottawa student Laura Grossman learned ceremonies, as well as plaques that tell the ny when a brief but vicious storm tore Canada’s lamentable decision in 1939 to that Canada was the only Allied nation See Monument on page 2

Debbie Halton-Weiss on Hillel Lodge resident survived the Stephanie Sheffrin on what has changed inside: Holocaust Education Month > p. 6 Holocaust and fought for Israel > p.9 since starting her column > p. 23

Luxury knows no bounds. The Audi A8. October 30, 2017 2 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM Monument Continued from page 2 “The mission of the monument is to story of the Holocaust. Embedded in the … be an everlasting reminder that evil concrete walls are towering monochro- exists in the world and that we as Cana- matic photographs of Holocaust scenes – dians are committed to protecting every barbed wire, train tracks, a synagogue. An human being from the monsters that eternal flame sits high up in the wall of a walk amongst us,” he said. small area intended for quiet reflection. Hosted by Eliot Lifson, a member The Stairs of Hope lead up to a terrace of the National Holocaust Monument with views of Parliament Hill and beyond. Development Council, the afternoon’s Rabbi Daniel Friedman, chair of the events began with Algonquin elder National Holocaust Monument Develop- Claudette Commanda giving an Indig- ment Council, which raised $4.5 for the enous blessing, and concluded with monument project, described the day as a moving rendition of “Kel Maleh bittersweet. Rachamim” and “Kaddish” sung by sur- “We are proud of the most incredi- vivor Philip Goldig. ble Holocaust monument in the world The brief storm that forced the event but devastated at the memory that has indoors, and knocked down many trees brought us to this point,” Rabbi Fried- and power lines in the city, was over man said. by the time the inauguration ceremony BENITA BAKER Friedman applauded Canadians for ended, allowing guests to walk through A series of panels at the National Holocaust Monument offer commentary on the Holocaust being at the forefront of rooting out evil. the monument. and Canada’s response to it.

BENITA BAKER This plaque from the inauguration of the National Holocaust Monument has been removed and will be replaced.

BENITA BAKER The entrance to the National Holocaust Monument. Holocaust memorial plaque that omitted Jews to be replaced (JTA) – The plaque marking the opening of the National Holocaust Monument will be replaced after the original failed to mention that Jews were the majori- ty of the victims. Heritage Minister Melanie Joly told the House of Commons on October 5 that the plaque will be replaced, and also reiterated that the monument com- memorates the six million Jews and five million others killed by the Nazis and their supporters during the Holocaust. “On the day the monument was unveiled, we noticed that the panel at the entrance conspicuously and curiously did not mention Jews,” Martin Samp- son, director of communications for the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, said in a statement. “We raised our concerns with the government. They were very responsive, acknowledged the error and agreed to correct it immediately.” For more, see From the Editor by Michael Regenstreif on page 7. BENITA BAKER A synagogue scene embedded in the National Holocaust Monument.

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BY ANDREW TOBIN the deal. Dana El Kurd, a researcher at JERUSALEM (JTA) – Israeli Prime Min- the Arab Center for Research and Pol- ister Benjamin Netanyahu has taken a icy Studies, wrote Monday in Foreign wait-and-see approach to this month’s Affairs that the international backers Palestinian reconciliation deal. of reconciliation seek to “neutralize Netanyahu spoke out publicly and Hamas’ power by weakening its popular loudly against the move toward unity support.” between the feuding Palestinian factions While El Kurd went on to argue that Fatah, which controls the Palestinian this would lead to more popular discon- Authority, and Hamas, calling it a threat tent and violence, Israel would likely to Israel and a setback to peace. But he welcome this development. quietly indicated Israel could accept rec- Even if Israel would prefer to see Pal- onciliation if Hamas reformed. estinian reconciliation fail on its merits, “Israel insists that the PA [Pales- the government has diplomatic reasons tinian Authority] not allow any base to accommodate the process. Among the whatsoever for Hamas terrorist actions countries celebrating the deal are two from PA areas in Judea and Samaria of Israel’s most important strategic part- [the West Bank] or from Gaza, if the ners, Egypt and the United States. PA indeed takes responsibility for its Under Egyptian President Abel Fat- territory,” his office said in a statement tah-el Sisi, Jerusalem and Cairo have after the deal was inked. “Israel will cooperated closely in recent years on monitor developments on the ground shared regional security concerns, and act accordingly.” including Hamas. At the UN General Netanyahu reacted very differently to Assembly last month in New York, Sisi the failed 2014 reconciliation attempt by coupled his first-ever meeting with Net- (KHALED DESOUKI/AFP/GETTY IMAGES) Fatah, which governs the West Bank as Hamas and Fatah leaders shake hands following the signing of a reconciliation deal at the anyahu with a call for Palestinian unity the Palestinian Authority, and Hamas, Egyptian intelligence services headquarters in Cairo, Oct. 12, 2017. as a step toward peace with Israel. By the terrorist group that runs Gaza. At opposing Sisi on reconciliation, Israel the time, Israel froze negotiations and could put this progress at risk. severed diplomatic relations with the Israel would neither cut ties with the might force Hamas to moderate. Accord- When it comes to the United States, Palestinian Authority. Palestinian Authority, as advocated by ing to a report in Haaretz, the group which has also thrown its weight behind Circumstances have since changed. Education Minister Naftali Bennett, nor agreed not to carry out terror attacks reconciliation, Netanyahu has gone out Israel has persistent fears about act to stop reconciliation. or fire rockets against Israel as part of See Reconciliation on page 8 the costs of Palestinian reconciliation. Israel has plenty of reasons to worry But the prime minister’s restrained about Hamas joining the Palestinian response, despite calls from right-wing Authority. The reconciliation deal ministers for more aggressive measures, reportedly does not address Hamas’ mil- reflects the potential benefits of letting itary wing, which has repeatedly fired the attempt play out, at least for now. rockets at, terrorized and warred with On October 12, Fatah and Hamas Israel. After the signing, Hamas’ deputy signed a reconciliation deal in Cairo political leader, Saleh al-Arouri, said the that reportedly will see the Palestinian purpose was for all Palestinian forces Authority take over Gaza’s border cross- to “work together against the Zionist ings and assume full administrative enterprise, which seeks to wipe out and control of the territory in the coming trample the rights of our people.” months. Some 3,000 Palestinian security According to Israeli analysts, Hamas officers are to join the Gaza police force. could let the Palestinian Authority han- Elections are to be held for a national dle the administration of Gaza while unity government. it focuses on bolstering its terrorist But Netanyahu has made clear that infrastructure and planning new attacks Israel maintains its long-standing on Israelis. A plan that would have PA stance against Hamas rejoining the officials who oversee the coastal strip’s Palestinian Authority, which it broke border crossings move back and forth from when it violently seized control between the West Bank and Gaza also of Gaza in 2007, unless the terrorist raises security concerns. group makes historic reforms, including However, if fully implemented, rec- disarming, recognizing the Jewish state onciliation could also bring benefits and breaking off relations with Iran. for Israel. It would address what many “Reconciliation between Fatah and observers have warned is a looming Hamas makes peace much harder humanitarian crisis in Gaza that could to achieve,” Netanyahu wrote on his push Hamas into another war with Isra- office’s Facebook page after the deal el. Egypt, which is brokering the talks was announced. “Reconciling with between Fatah and Hamas, would likely mass-murderers is part of the prob- ease its blockade of Gaza, allowing more lem, not part of the solution. Say yes goods and people to move in and out to peace and no to joining hands with of the territory. PA President Mahmoud Hamas.” Abbas would have to end the sanctions Members of Netanyahu’s right-wing he has imposed on the territory to force government urged an even tougher line. Hamas’ capitulation, including crippling But Haaretz reported that Netanyahu electricity cuts. told top ministers on October 16 that At the same time, reconciliation just October 30, 2017 4 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM

“The tremendous importance of understanding the Holocaust is clearer than ever,” says historian Avinoam Patt of the University of Hartford. Historian Avinoam Patt to speak at launch of Holocaust Education Month

BY NORAH MOR now, they and the entire world, wonder vinoam Patt, a professor of where they will go when they cannot modern Jewish history at the return to what used to be their homes. University of Hartford in “With the rise of anti-Semitism, Connecticut and director of the Islamophobia and racism in general, the Auniversity’s Museum of Jewish tremendous importance of understand- Civilization, will be the keynote speaker, ing the Holocaust is clearer than ever,” November 9 at Kehillat Beth Israel, at the he said. “This is why it is so important official launch of Holocaust Education to continue to teach about the Holo- Month in Ottawa. caust in the 21st century.” Although several events are scheduled Patt said it is important to ask and to take place earlier, the official launch consider how the Holocaust will be event of Holocaust Education Month is remembered in the future and how will held on the anniversary of Kristallnacht, this memory change over time. the Night of Broken Glass, an anti-Se- “How will memory transfer from one mitic pogrom in Nazi Germany that took generation to the next as survivors, the eye place on November 9-10, 1938. witnesses to the Holocaust, pass away?” Patt’s research focuses on Jewish Patt’s research shows that many of culture before, during and after the today’s young Jews say the Holocaust Holocaust including studies of Holo- plays an essential part in their Jewish caust survivors, theological responses to identity. “What does that mean? What the Holocaust, the creation of the State part or aspect of the Holocaust is so of Israel, and contemporary Israeli and essential for them?” he asks. Jewish culture. The answers to these questions, he “In the aftermath of the Holocaust, says, are relevant and vital. there was a huge refugee crisis,” said The Holocaust Education Month launch Patt in a telephone interview with the will take place Thursday, November 9, 7 Ottawa Jewish Bulletin from his office in pm, at Kehillat Beth Israel, 1400 Coldrey Hartford. Avenue. Admission is free of charge. Patt said the key focus of his address The event is presented by the Centre in Ottawa will be on what can be learned for Holocaust Education and Scholar- from that crisis – and from the refugee ship, Kehillat Beth Israel, the Max and crisis the world is currently experiencing. Tessie Zelikovitz Centre for Jewish Stud- “What were the refugees experienc- ies at Carleton University, Saint Paul ing then? What challenges did they University, the University of Ottawa, and face?” he said. “And how do people con- the Embassy of the United States. tinue their lives after such catastrophe?” Visit https://jewishottawa.com/HEM Today’s refugees ask themselves for a full listing of Holocaust Education the same questions, he said. Then, as Month events. October 30, 2017 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM 5

A series of profiles throughout 2017 spotlighting the contributions of historically important Jewish Canadians to our country.

organization into WIZO (Women’s

Lillian Freiman1885-1940 International Zionist Organization). Freiman also chaired the United Pal- estine Appeal in 1934. Founder of Canadian Hadassah- When John McCrae’s poem “In Flanders Fields” became famous, the WIZO designed the first poppy was developed as a symbol of Remembrance Day poppies remembrance for soldiers who died in action during the First World War. By Brenna Mackay Ukraine. In 1921, Freiman started crafting the illian Freiman (née Bilsky) was The Freimans dedicated much first Canadian poppies in her home. La philanthropist, community of their lives to advocating for the Poppy-making was soon taken over leader, and prominent Zionist. She establishment of the State of Israel. by the Vetcraft Shops, an organiza- is best known as the “Poppy Lady,” Her husband served as the president tion that employed returning service- for designing and creating the first of the Zionist Organization of Cana- men to make furniture and toys. She Remembrance Day poppies in 1921. da, while she was the head of Canadi- was a member of the National Poppy She also founded the Canadian an Hadassah-WIZO. Advisory Committee and chaired Hadassah-WIZO and was the national When the First World War broke Ottawa’s annual poppy campaign Additionally, she co-founded the president of the Zionist women’s out, Freiman set up 30 sewing each year until her death. Great War Veterans Association, organization from 1919 until her machines in her home and organized In 1930, the publication Women which later became the Royal Cana- death in 1940. a Red Cross sewing circle to send of Canada referred to Freiman as Freiman was the daughter of clothing and blankets to the soldiers dian Legion. Freiman was the first the “Mother of the Jewish People of Moses Bilsky, Ottawa’s first Jewish overseas. The circle, which she began woman to be named an honorary life Canada” and, in 1934, she became the settler, and his wife Pauline. She was in her home, evolved into the Disrae- member of the Legion. first Canadian Jew to be awarded the born in 1885 while the family lived li Chapter of the Daughters of the Following the war, Freiman found- Order of the British Empire. In 1935, briefly in Mattawa, Ontario. She lived Empire. She raised funds for Jews in ed Canadian Hadassah, a Zionist Hadassah dedicated the year to Frei- most of her life in Ottawa and, at age Europe and Palestine, led Ottawa’s women’s organization, and travelled man in tribute to her 50th birthday. 18, married Archibald J. Freiman, who efforts to battle the influenza epi- across Canada to raise funds for the In failing health, Freiman died on would found A.J. Freiman Limited, a demic in 1918, served as treasurer of Helping Hand Fund of Hadassah. November 2, 1940 at age 55. Among department store at 73 Rideau Street the Ottawa Welfare Bureau, and was She raised about $200,000, then an the dignitaries attending her funeral in Ottawa. The couple had three chil- active in such organizations as the exceptional sum to be collected from was the prime minister, William Lyon dren, Dorothy, Lawrence and Queene Ottawa Women’s Canadian Club, the the approximately 120,000 Jews Mackenzie King. An honour guard Esther, and an adopted daughter, Institut Jeanne d’Arc for Catholic girls, then living in Canada. As president from the Royal Canadian Legion also Gladys, a Jewish war orphan from and the Protestant Infants Home. of Hadassah, she also brought the attended Freiman’s funeral.

Next in the series Submit an essay To help mark Canada’s 150th, we are welcoming personal essays from readers. Freda Paltiel 1924-2003 Please share with us! What does it mean to you to be Jewish in Canada? As a Canadi- Pioneering advocate for women’s an Jew, what do you hope for our future? Is there anything special in our Canadian health issues history that has impacted you as Jew? Please note, submission should be about 300 words and will be edited for style. Send submissions to: [email protected] October 30, 2017 6 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM

explain how a luxury ocean liner was November marks Holocaust transformed into the Titanic for a Nazi propaganda film and later turned into a death trap for prisoners, when it was Education Month mistakenly bombed by the British, days before liberation. addressing this ignorant behaviour. Holocaust. On a personal note, as a child of The Shoah Committee quickly The Shoah Committee is holding survivors, my father being the lone sur- mobilized, responding to the urgency two events. The first will be on Sun- vivor of a multigenerational Czech Jew- of the situation, identifying survivors, day, November 19 and is a wonderful ish family, I was taught to be tolerant, speakers, and age-appropriate educa- example of successful partnerships as respectful, and to refrain from making tional material to support this teacher. the Shoah Committee, along with the negative generalizations about any The mandate of the Shoah (Holocaust) Embassy of the Philippines and the City one group of people – no matter how FEDERATION REPORT Committee of the Jewish Federation of of Ottawa, will be screening the docu- tempting. The Shoah Committee takes DEBBIE HALTON-WEISS Ottawa is to commemorate and pre- mentary “Rescue in the Philippines.” responsibility for what it can do in the CHAIR OF THE SHOAH COMMITTEE serve the legacies of the past to learn This film provides a unique perspective face of increasing anti-Semitism, scape- from and teach future generations of survival, and will be shown at Ben goating, and xenophobia, by reaching his past June, the Jewish about the important lessons of this Franklin Place in Centrepointe at 4:30 out to the community with educational Federation of Ottawa received a horrific event. This was an educational pm, followed by a light reception. You opportunities that combat ignorance call from a concerned teacher opportunity that could not be lost. The can reserve your seat by contacting and hatred. who had witnessed some results were positive and the school and Natalie Abenhaim at 613-798-4696, ext. Together, as a community, we can be Tanti-Semitic behaviour in his schoolyard student body were receptive. We know 355 or [email protected]. better informed and understand that and was anxious to deal with it appropri- we made a difference in teaching these Following the theme of sharing the lessons of the Holocaust can be ately. “Duck, Duck, Goose” had turned students about anti-Semitism and the lesser-known stories, on Wednesday, used to create greater acceptance and into “Jew, Jew, Nazi,” and “Capture the Holocaust. November 29, the Shoah Committee tolerance among all people until “Never Flag,” had become “Capture the Jew.” November marks Holocaust Educa- will host author and acclaimed speaker Again,” becomes a reality. We hope that The teacher quickly recognized that his tion Month (HEM) and Ottawa’s organi- Robert Watson at the Soloway Jewish you will join us and participate in Holo- Grade 6 class was in need of some zations have developed a wide range of Community Centre at 7 pm. Watson will caust Education Month this November. ‘emergency’ Holocaust education, as the programming to encourage Jewish and share the story of his award-winning Visit https://jewishottawa.com/HEM school year was coming to an end, and he non-Jewish participants to learn and book, The Nazi Titanic. A renowned for a full listing of Holocaust Education did not want his class graduating without better understand the lessons of the lecturer and storyteller, Watson will Month events.

Ottawa Jewish Bulletin VOLUME 82 | ISSUE 2 With all of our voices Ottawa Jewish Bulletin Publishing Co. Ltd. 21 Nadolny Sachs Private, Ottawa, K2A 1R9 Tel: 613 798-4696 | Fax: 613 798-4730 ing that her voice, while stilled for eter- spouse; those not fully welcomed due Email: [email protected] Published 19 times per year. nity, still reverberates in the stories that to their sexual orientation or gender © Copyright 2017 follow. Just prior to Chayei Sarah, in the expression; those whose religious quest PUBLISHER harrowing story at the heart of Parshat leads them to embrace Jewishness as an Andrea Freedman Vayera describing the almost-sacrifice identity rather than to practice Judaism EDITOR of her son, her voice is not recorded at as a religion; those for whom the finan- Michael Regenstreif all. Similarly, we don’t hear much from cial barriers to engage with our institu- PRODUCTION CONSULTANT her now adult son. In Chayei Sarah, tions and programs are too high. Patti Moran Isaac appears mutely, meditating in the In Baltimore, Maryland, where I BUSINESS MANAGER Eddie Peltzman

FROM THE THE FROM PULPIT field at dusk, as his future wife Rebecca lived and served as a rabbi for 14 years, arrives (Genesis 24:63). It is through the I was a member of the Baltimore Board DFL INTERN RABBI ELIZABETH BOLTON Norah Mor narrator’s voice, not his, that we learn of Rabbis which embraced members OR HANESHAMAH The Bulletin, established in 1937 as “a force she becomes his wife (24:67). serving congregations from the Recon- for constructive communal consciousness,” As the parsha closes, there is one structionist to the Orthodox. It was a communicates the messages of the Jewish he voices of the Jewish people, more death, one more mute report. particular delight for me to be able to Federation of Ottawa and its agencies and, as the city’s only Jewish newspaper, welcomes a and the voices of individual Isaac and his brother Ishmael bury their pick up the phone to arrange for a visit diversity of opinion as it strives to inform and Jews, have tremendous and father Abraham together (25:9). No to the Jewish nursing home for our enrich the community. Viewpoints expressed in these pages do not necessarily represent complex resonance in our voices are heard, a silence with power- congregation’s children and teens, and the policies and values of the Federation. Tculture. Since I used to be a musician, ful and long-lasting reverberations. to know the voice of the colleague with The Bulletin cannot vouch for the kashrut primarily a vocalist, by profession, I’ve In our day, we must become more whom I was speaking. Though from a of advertised products or establishments always enjoyed the word play of the and more attuned to listen for silenced very different place on the Jewish spec- unless they are certified by Ottawa Vaad HaKashrut or a rabbinic authority recognized Hebrew word kol. With the letter kuf it and quieter voices in our communities: trum, this was a colleague with whom I by OVH. means “voice”; with the letter kaf, “all.” those without power or status, those was in relation, whom I knew from our $36 Local Subscription | $40 Canada There are all kinds of voices heard who may not have wealth or influence, meetings, from our shared endeavours, $60 USA | $179 Overseas | $2 per issue and not heard in the narratives of or those whose approach to Jewish life, and from the kevod harav (honour and We acknowledge the financial support of the Abraham, Sarah and their household. living and ritual may be radical or dif- respect) we held for each other. Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund of the Department Their resonance, or the echoes of their ferent. Our communal institutions are “With kol/all your heart, with kol/all of Canadian Heritage. silence, has deeply impacted how we slowly learning to hear those voices, your soul, and with kol/all your might ISSN: 1196-1929 tell our story as a people. Who is in, and, more importantly, to note when (Deuteronomy 6:3),” says the Shema. Publication Mail Agreement No. 40018822 who is out? Whom do we hear, whom they are not being heard. The heart, the soul, the strength, the Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: do we ignore, and why? Voices of the mute and muted, the voice of the Jewish community lies in Ottawa Jewish Bulletin In the Torah portion called Chayei disenfranchised and disempowered in its all-ness. These parshot in Genesis 21 Nadolny Sachs Private, Sarah (Life of Sarah), the narrative par- our communities, include those cut off remind us to find blessing in all of our Ottawa ON K2A 1R9 adoxically begins with her death, signal- from their kin because of their choice of voices. October 30, 2017 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM 7

ter this major injustice to the memory

Attacks on Trudeau over of the six million Jews for whom the monument was built. All of the parties involved are deeply remorseful and we plaque error are unfounded apologize unconditionally for the pain included in the print edition, virtually National Holocaust Monument Devel- we have caused by this oversight. every work day.) opment Council, quickly acknowledged, “I want to thank the Trudeau gov- A sidebar to the article on page 2 quickly accepted responsibility for, and ernment for acting expeditiously to (which was also posted online) notes quickly set in motion a process to cor- amend the plaque as soon as the error that a plaque at the entrance to the rect. The plaque was removed and will was brought to its attention. Mistakes monument commemorating the inaugu- be replaced with appropriate wording. happen; most can be fixed quickly and ration was removed and will be replaced But, that was not enough for some decorously. Without questioning, the

FROM THE THE FROM EDITOR because it failed to specifically mention Opposition politicians and media pun- government did the right thing, which MICHAEL REGENSTREIF that Jews were the principal victims of dits who sought to put responsibility has been our experience with Trudeau’s “the millions of men, women and chil- for the error directly on Prime Minister government throughout.” dren murdered during the Holocaust.” Justin Trudeau – as if the error was an I agree with Rabbi Friedman. he front page story in this issue of After visiting the National Holocaust expression of his personal feelings. I have personally heard the prime the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin is Monument, looking at its various sec- But, as Rabbi Daniel Friedman, the minister speak poignantly at Holocaust Benita Baker’s report on the tions – all of them so powerful – and Edmonton-based chair of the National commemoration events and I have inauguration of the National reading the other plaques and panels Holocaust Monument Development watched his sensitive interactions with THolocaust Monument in Ottawa. explaining the Holocaust, and also Can- Council, explained in an op-ed published elderly Holocaust survivors. And I have Although we published an issue after the ada’s shameful response to Jewish refu- in the Ottawa Citizen and several other no doubt as to his knowledge of the September 27 event, the nature of our gees desperate to escape the genocide, Canadian dailies, “On the big day, we Holocaust or his sincerity in talking deadline and production schedule – com- no one can be left with any doubt about suddenly realized that an egregious error about it. To suggest that he is person- plicated at that time of year by High the Nazi regime’s intention to wipe out had been made. In amongst the debates ally at fault for this error, or that it was Holiday work breaks – prevented us from European Jewry. over wording and plaque positioning, purposeful, is simply egregious. running the story in our October 9 edition. Still, it was a serious error that the somehow the one plaque that intro- I highly recommend a visit to the However, the story was published plaque at the entrance to the monu- duced the others – and made no sense National Holocaust Monument. It is a at www.ottawajewishbulletin.com even ment did not specifically mention that outside the context of the plaques detail- profoundly moving experience. With before that issue was mailed to sub- the intent of the perpetrators of the ing the Nazi genocide of six million Jews winter quickly approaching, you’ll proba- scribers. (It’s always good to check our Holocaust was the mass murder of Jews. along with homosexuals, the disabled bly want to choose a nice autumn day to website often as we post breaking news But it was an error that all the par- and others – ended up mounted all on go as it is outdoors. I found that I needed stories and other features from around ties involved in the monument, includ- its own on a separate wall. Visitors to the to spend a good hour there when I visit- the Jewish world, most of which are not ing the government of Canada and the site were rightly disturbed to encoun- ed, much of it in quiet contemplation.

kicked in the jungles of Vietnam. ‘lt was a crazy time when The documentary outlines how the

U.S. got into Vietnam and couldn’t get nothing made sense’ out. It shows how Americans became killers when they dropped so many Although the footage wasn’t being our prime minister then, got a volcanic bombs on North Vietnam and Cambo- seen for the first time, Burns’ depiction president Lyndon Johnson all riled up dia because nothing else was working. of uniformed American soldiers in Viet- as he frequently railed against the war Burns does such a wonderful job weav- nam, in broad daylight, smoking drugs, in Vietnam. It was no accident that ing the importance of the leaked Pentagon using the barrel of a machine gun as Canada became a haven for deserters Papers into his storytelling. The Pentagon a delivery system, says all you need to and draft dodgers. Papers outlined, detailed and documented know about the breakdown in disci- Burns gets us to see and feel so every administration’s lies about the war.

IDEAS AND IDEAS IMPRESSIONS pline. But, before you think it can’t get much. The visuals and narration of Both Republicans and Democrats had the JASON MOSCOVITZ worse, think again. when four students at Kent State Uni- same frame of mind: there was no way An American solider is on film in versity were shot dead by panicked the Americans could ever lose a war, even uniform telling an interviewer how National Guardsmen at an anti-war pro- if they were actually losing. was late getting to Ken Burns’ PBS soon after his arrival in Vietnam he test is a stark reminder of the day baby The reality that bald-faced lies were documentary series, “The Vietnam was approached about scoring heroin. boomers realized civilization as they the way three presidents dealt with their War.” But, what a discovery when I The documentary lays it out raw and knew it was over. Vietnam failures made the protesters got there. It is a work of art. plain: 20 per cent of American military It was a crazy time when nothing angrier, more confrontational, and in IThe 10-part series holds nothing back. personnel serving in Vietnam became made sense because nothing could many instances, more violent, as they The writing is razor sharp. The hours of hooked on heroin. make sense. Sense was not possible hit the streets to say “no” to the war. historic film and photographs are so real Both the military personnel and when it came to Vietnam because the Nixon’s silent majority was said to sup- and so plentiful that the whole package civilians Burns interviews are so official story had always been based on port the war. They were the ones who is living history at its finest. human, and so emotional. Regardless of big fat lies. Donald Trump is not the went berserk when they saw protesters For baby boomers, this series is a which side anyone was on, there is no first liar in the White House. The Viet- burn draft cards and American flags. look back to a time when a generation escaping the intensity of remembered nam War turned all the presidents con- It was such an incredible time and learned real freedom had to mean feelings as we recall living through nected to it into certified liars. Burns nimbly reminds us how the evils something concrete. More and more them a half-century ago. John F. Kennedy, Johnson, and Rich- of Watergate and Nixon’s plumbers had young people believed freedom of Many draft dodgers and deserters ard Nixon – especially Johnson and their roots in his reaction to anti-war thought and freedom of speech could escaped to Canada and there are refer- Nixon – lied repeatedly. They lied to the protests. Vietnam was a game changer lead to the ultimate freedom: to stand ences to Montreal in some of their sto- U.S. Congress, they lied to the troops, that cost Johnson and Nixon their jobs. up and say “No.” It was a time when ries. Although not part of the documen- and they lied to the people. They could And Vietnam was a game changer authority figures everywhere started to tary, it is worth recalling how we can not tell the truth because the truth was that taught baby boomers what free- lose their grip. always be proud that Lester Pearson, that Americans were getting their asses dom was. October 30, 2017 8 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM

Life’s brighter under the sun mailbag | [email protected] I can help with: • Life insurance • RRSPs/RRIFs • Mutual funds* • Personal health insurance • TFSAs • Employee benefits SHABBAT AT SJCC closed. We responded with an invi- of what they want from the SJCC Diane Koven BA (Hons) CFP® CHS™ In a wide ranging letter concern- tation to let us know what young and how they would like to receive 613-728-1223 ext 2235 ing Stephanie Sherfin’s Modern families want from the SJCC. And these services. We are eager to wel- [email protected] Mishpocha columns (September we extend this invitation to other come young Jewish families into 1525 Carling Avenue, Suite 600 18), Alyce Baker wondered why the young Jewish families in the com- the SJCC on their own terms, and Ottawa, ON Soloway Jewish Community Centre munity to tell us how we can make we hope that young families will (SJCC) did not respond publicly to it possible for them to enjoy each contact us to continue the discus- the issues Stephanie raised con- other and enjoy their Shabbat at sion and shape the activities which cerning the SJCC. the SJCC. will bring them together to enjoy Mutual funds distributed by Sun Life Financial Investment Services (Canada) Inc. We did privately respond to The SJCC has just completed each other’s company. Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada is a member of the Sun Life Financial group of companies. © Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada, 2016. Stephanie, and are happy to do so a strategic planning process. One publicly. Stephanie wrote that there of our top priorities is serving the Barry Sohn, President and COO, was no opportunity for Shabbat needs of young professionals and Soloway JCC programming for children and fam- young families. Through focus Sabina Wasserlauf, Chair, ilies at the SJCC, since the centre is groups, we have a growing sense Soloway JCC Board of Directors Reconciliation: Israel takes wait-and-see approach

Continued from page 3 Trump administration construction, including, the United States out of his way to ensure no has rewarded Netanyahu. as Netanyahu reportedly of the Iran deal if Con- daylight comes between Washington reportedly promised, outside the gress did not tighten its him and President Don- has asked Israel to limit settlement blocs Israel restrictions on the Islam- ald Trump. The prime settlement expansion, expects to keep in any ic Republic’s nuclear minister reportedly and settler leaders have peace deal. program – earning praise warned top ministers in complained of slow- Trump has also taken from the prime minister, February against con- er-than-promised build- a position on Iran, Isra- who last month exhorted fronting Trump, explain- ing in the West Bank el’s arch-nemesis, very world leaders to “nix it ing that the president’s and eastern Jerusalem. much along the lines or fix it.” personality must be taken But U.S. officials have suggested by Netanyahu. Meanwhile, U.S. “into account.” stayed relatively quiet as On October 16, Trump Ambassador to the United In many ways, the Israel has advanced such reiterated his vow to pull Nations Nikki Haley has vociferously defended Israel in the international EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY body, and on October 12, the U.S. State Department Jewish Federation of Ottawa announced the United Show Israel You Care! CAMPAIGN MANAGER States would pull out of Volunteer as a civilian worker UNESCO over its anti- Israel bias, prompting for two or three weeks Working with the Director of Development, the Campaign Manager is responsible for overseeing the operations of the Israel to follow. on an Israeli army supply base In return for all this Annual Campaign to maximize community participation and and more from the Unit- contributions. This position includes a wide range of ed States, Netanyahu organizational functions and requires an efficient individual may feel that abiding with superior organizational skills, excellent communication and Palestinian reconcilia- people skills and the ability to work in a fast paced environment. tion is a small price to pay – especially since The applicant will work as part of a team of professionals in the he may simply have to development and operation of an annual fundraising campaign. wait for the process to The Campaign Manager provides general program support to collapse. The issues that the Director of Development and the Campaign team, including have doomed numerous a significant number of volunteers to assure all operations run past attempts remain smoothly and efficiently. outstanding, most nota- bly Abbas’ demands that For a full description and requirements please visit Hamas disarm and bring jewishottawa.com/careers. its military wing under the command of the Pal- Experience: A minimum of 5 years’ experience in financial resource estinian Authority. development including donor stewardship and/or development and Unpopular at home supporting major gift solicitation. and under his own dip- Free: accommodations, kosher meals, trips, events. lomatic pressure, Abbas Cost: air fare, $100 registration, weekend expenses. To apply, please send a resume and cover letter to Micah Garten, Director of Development at [email protected] by November 13. While we thank may also be playing a [email protected] all applicants for their interest, only those who qualify for an interview will be waiting game. 514-735-0272 or [email protected] contacted. For more, see My Israel columnist Barbara www.sarelcanada.org Crook’s commentary on Programs start approximately every 3 weeks. page 21. blue - 300 c gree n - 362 c brown - 1535 c

October 30, 2017 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM 9 Advertorial Holocaust survivor Joel Berkovic fought for Israel in 1948 Hillel Lodge resident Joel Berkovic survived the Holocaust and Dan Mader Lynda Taller-Wakter Board Chair Executive Director went on to participate in the founding of the State of Israel. JNF is Past, Present, Future Norah Mor reports. Building Israel since 1901 oel Berkovic, 92, was born in Dubové, Negev Dinner 2017 – November 6 Czechoslovakia (now the Slovak Republic) on May The Most Inspiring Event and Person of the Year 25, 1925. While both of his parents had passed away Jbefore the Second World War, much of his extended In support of the Lawrence Greenspon Room at Noga Home for family perished in the Holocaust. severely disabled girls Berkovic himself survived Auschwitz and was liber- This year’s Negev Dinner proceeds will help to renovate ated from Dachau while his sister survived Auschwitz. one of the respite and therapeutic homes at the ALEH-Negev Nehalat Eran campus with state-of-the-art equipment. Named Both of his brothers fought the Nazis: one as a soldier for the constellation Venus, Noga is also translated as “aura” and in the Soviet army, the other as a partisan. “brightness” to reflect the inner qualities of the girls who have “We had the will to live, we knew we couldn’t lose. come to rely on the care at ALEH. We had no other choice,” Berkovic told the Ottawa ALEH’s philosophy of care closely aligns with Mr. Greenspon’s Jewish Bulletin about the determination he and other active and lifetime support of individuals with special needs. Holocaust survivors displayed during the darkest time The Noga Home was built in the early days of ALEH Negev, in modern Jewish history. over 10 years ago. Continuous wear and tear over the years necessitates major renovation of the house. In addition, renova- tions will take into consideration the specific needs and charac- teristics of the residents of the house. Joel Berkovic’s story is the story Residents of the Noga Home are girls with profound intel- lectual disabilities and severe physical impairments. Due to their of the Jewish people in the complex medical conditions they are unable to participate in the vocational centre framework or go out often, and their home past century: a story of pride, and courtyard serves as a safe and stimulatory haven for them during the day. bravery and hope. The house will be renovated to include a very spacious treatment area, as well as a high-quality sensory space, in order to provide the girls with as many rehabilitative treatments and sensory stimulation as possible within their home environment. “When the U.S. army liberated us, we believed that everything would be OK from then on. Of course, it wasn’t. The war never really ended for many of us. And In honour of Remembrance Day back then, there was no one we could ask help from.” Be inspired by Keynote Speaker Maj. Gen. (Res) Doron Almog After the war Berkovic attempted to follow his Joel Berkovic speaks to the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin about the When his son Eran was born with extreme autism, Maj. Gen. brothers to British Mandate Palestine. important historical events he was part of. Doron Almog began what would become his life’s mission: the “We never forgot that we belong in Israel,” he said. establishment of the ALEH Negev-Nahalat Eran rehabilitative However, the ship carrying Berkovic and other village in 2005 named for his son who passed away shortly after Jewish refugees who had survived the Holocaust was the time.” its inception. Maj. Gen. Almog has since served as chairman of intercepted by the British and he was confined in Berkovic was an agricultural worker on the kibbutz the village. His contribution to security and society has been acknowledged with a number of awards including the Israel Cyprus until after United Nations voted to partition after the war. It was a hard life, he said, “but we had Prize for Lifetime Achievement in and special contribution to Palestine into Jewish and Arab states 70 years ago on each other. We shared whatever we had: food, clothes the society of Israel and the Yigal Alon Award for Exemplary November 29, 1947. – everything.” Pioneering Social Activities presented to Aleh Negev. In Israel, Berkovic joined Kibbutz Afikim and fought Berkovic’s sister had made her way to Montreal after Throughout his life, Maj. Gen. Almog has dedicated himself in the 1948 War of Independence. During the war, his the war and he joined her there in 1957 where he mar- to his beloved country Israel. He fulfilled most of his army right shoulder was wounded by shrapnel. ried and worked in the textile industry. He eventually service both as a soldier and in leadership capacities in elite IDF “We hoped for a miracle, but miracles are not easy, moved to Ottawa after his wife passed away and is now units: Commander during the Yom Kippur War; Command of so we just tried our best, and we’re still here,” he said a resident of Hillel Lodge. the first task force to land in Entebbe airport during the 1976 of the fight to establish the Jewish state. “I’m not special,” he said modestly, “not a hero. I rescue operation; and Command of many clandestine missions to bring 6,000 Ethiopian Jews to Israel “In the end, we won. Not because someone gave did what everybody else, all the chaverim did.” us Israel, but because we fought for it, because we But Joel Berkovic’s story is the story of the Jewish believed that we deserve this. That’s the main thing: people in the past century: a story of pride, bravery November is JNF Blue Box Month we’re here to stay – and no one could believe that at and hope. Please make sure you return your JNF Blue Box this month. If you need us to pick it up for you, let us know by calling or emailing. Many thanks for the kind words Sefer Bar Mitzvah Daniel Arie Barak, by his grandparents, Reisa & Allan Glenns. of comfort and the generous donations in memory of our 205-11 Nadolny Sachs Pvt Celebrate all occasions dear brother and brother-in-law Ottawa, K2A 1R9 Israel experiences 613-798-2411 • [email protected] Legacy projects L�uis Sherman. www.jnfottawa.ca

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BY FRAN KLODAWSKY to dignity, hope and opportunity. The AND BARBARA LEVINE board comprises people of various faiths FOR MULTIFAITH HOUSING INITIATIVE who are committed to MHI’s vision that uring Sukkot, we are encour- people of good will and faith have much aged to think of those less in common and can together achieve fortunate and not take our remarkable results. many blessings for granted. In Jewish involvement has been part Dthis spirit, Adath Shalom, Kehillat Beth of MHI from the beginning. Ottawa Israel, Or Haneshamah and Temple Israel Jewish community members are part each welcomed staff, volunteers and owners of MHI and we, in collabora- residents from the Multifaith Housing tion with others, should be proud of Initiative (MHI) during Sukkot to reflect what has already been achieved. But, on both achievements and on the work with 10,000 households in Ottawa that remains to be done. waiting up to ten years for safe, afford- This summer, over 350 adults and able housing, there is much more to children became residents of the Haven, do. We encourage all congregations to a beautiful new community in Barrhav- join the Multifaith Housing Initiative en designed by Hobin Architecture Inc. and maintain your shul’s membership This project has tripled the size of MHI’s together with 70 other faith communi- rental portfolio and establishes MHI as a ties; to hold events to raise awareness, SHELDON LEONG significant affordable housing provider David and Chris Taylor hold the Or Haneshamah banner at the MHI Tulipathon Multifaith Walk and promote and participate in MHI in Ottawa. The Haven’s residents speak and Fundraiser, May 1, 2017. fundraising activities. As individuals, with pride about their new homes, and volunteer and lend a hand and/or of the sense of security and safety they become a donor. finally feel. At a cost of $20 million, the But none of this would have been possi- is more than just a landlord. From its For more information, visit Haven was supported financially by all ble without the dedication of hundreds earliest days, MHI has worked to model www.multifaithhousing.ca or call Sahada three levels of government as well as a of donors and volunteers. and build inclusive and loving commu- Alolo, MHI’s community engagement mortgage from Infrastructure Ontario. The Multifaith Housing Initiative nities that maximize residents’ access manager, at 613-686-1825. Zephyrs are Ottawa Jewish men’s softball champs for 2017 BY AMI WISE the first pitch was delivered at 8 pm on a sweltering OTTAWA JEWISH MEN’S SOFTBALL LEAGUE Tishrei 4 (September 24) at Hampton Park, the teams he 2017 season of the Ottawa Jewish Men’s were raring to go. Softball League (OJMSL), the oldest recrea- The Gargoyles jumped to an early five run lead, but tional softball league in the city, came to a Zephyrs captain Ami Wise answered with a two-run close on September 24 with the Zephyrs shot scoring Neil Schwartz. In the bottom of the fifth Tbesting the Gargoyles in a hard fought series that went inning, Aaron “Smitty” Smith stretched to make a the distance. brilliant over the shoulder catch in left field to kill a With a nod to the history of the league – we go back Gargoyles rally and preserve a one-run Zephyrs lead. many decades – and our longstanding association with The Zephyrs exploded for seven runs in the sixth and Ottawa’s Jewish community, Jon Braun, director of ath- added another five in the seventh for good measure. letics at the Soloway Jewish Community Centre, was Kevin Yemm pitched his third consecutive score- on hand to present the Zephyrs with the OJMSL cham- less inning in relief to shut down the Gargoyles and pionship trophy. The Zephyrs celebrate their 2017 championship season in the secure the championship for the Zephyrs with a final The Zephyrs topped the Schlebs and the Gargoyles Ottawa Jewish Men’s Softball League. score of 23-10. beat the Osterer family-led Otto’s Subaru team to earn (Standing, from left) Brett Nicols, Alex Anderson, Richard While the size and religious makeup of the league spots in the finals, marking a post-season in which Sadinsky, Jonathan Isenor, Aaron Smith, Neil Schwartz, Tal has changed over the years – you don’t have to be Elharrar, (kneeling) Ian Speigel, Matt Arthur, Denis Forcier, every series was sent to a deciding final game. Jewish to play in the Ottawa Jewish Men’s Softball Arlo Litman, Ami Wise, Josh Barber and Kevin Yemm. The Gargoyles took the first two games of the finals League – the good natured spirit of OJMSL remains 14-9 and 15-10 behind strong pitching by Normand and we’ll be back in 2018 when the Zephyrs will Wong, and a steady offense led by Jordan Press, who standout shortstop Alex Anderson and gutsy pitching defend their title. swatted five home runs in the series. The Zephyrs performances by Jon Isenor. We’re always looking for more players. If you are battled back to take games three and four by scores of The series took a one-week break for Rosh Hasha- interested in playing ball with us next year, get in 16-9 and 16-8 with a balanced offensive attack led by nah before the fifth and deciding game and by the time touch at [email protected].

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Each Office Is Independently Owned and Operated. www.michaelqaqish.com Each Office Is Independently Owned and Operated. Knowledge and Service You CanKnowledge Trust andEach OfficeService Is Independently You Owned Can and TrustOperated. Knowledge Sinceand Service 1975 You Can Truste: [email protected] October 30, 2017 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM 11 October 30, 2017 12 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM Gershon Shafir to speak on ‘world’s most intractable conflict’

BY GABRIELLA GOLIGER ‘The state of affairs at have interacted to entrench the CANADIAN FRIENDS OF status quo, he says. However, PEACE NOW present and in the foreseeable future is these factors have also led to fter 50 years of Israeli a very complicated reality in rule over territories tragic, but not the territories: “a patchwork of captured in 1967, has hopeless.’ legal inconsistencies and com- the situation become peting interests that weaken Airreversible or is a two-state “O” word. In fact, he unpacks the occupation’s hold and leave solution still doable? and rejects the legal and verbal it vulnerable to challenge.” This is the question Gershon gymnastics used by Israeli gov- Many on both the right Shafir tackles in a new book, ernments to call the West Bank and the left have argued that A Half Century of Occupation: and East Jerusalem “disputed it’s too late for separate Israeli Israel, Palestine and the World’s territories.” He describes what and Palestinian states. That Most Intractable Conflict, and makes this indeed an occupa- because the settler population will be the subject of a talk he tion, what sort it is, and why it has become too large and wide- will give Tuesday, November has lasted so long. The Israeli spread to consider its removal, 14, 7 pm, at the Soloway Jewish settler enterprise, Palestinian one state for both peoples is A two-state solution to Israel’s conflict with the Palestinians is still Community Centre. resistance and increasing reli- the only option. possible, says author Gershon Shafir. As the title indicates, Shafir gious nationalism in both soci- Shafir, however, counters does not shy away from the eties are among the factors that that this argument is both incorrect and self-serving; that it is used by those who don’t really want to contemplate the compromises a two-state solu- tion will require. He marshals demographic evidence to show why the settlements have not yet become an overwhelming obstacle. He presents evidence to show what could be feasible in a negotiated settlement and what is unlikely to work. He also includes a careful look at the BDS movement. His fine- grained analysis reveals “a measure of light between the clouds” as he concludes “the state of affairs at present and in the foreseeable future is tragic, but not hopeless.” Shafir is a professor of Sociology at the University of California, San Diego and a former president of the Israel Studies Association. He is the author or editor of 10 books, among them several on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. His From the Archives: Ottawa celebrates the Balfour Declaration new book will be on sale at the In this photo from the Ottawa Jewish Archives, the Shaffer family is are seen in their automobile decorated for the Balfour Day Parade on Rideau event. The talk is sponsored by Street in Ottawa on November 2, 1917. The Balfour Declaration, issued 100 years ago on November 2, 1917 by the British government, said, “His Majesty’s government view with favour Canadian Friends of Peace Now the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people, and will use their best endeavours to facilitate the achievement of this and admission is free, though object, it being clearly understood that nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities donations are welcome. Contact in Palestine, or the rights and political status enjoyed by Jews in any other country.” [email protected] for more information.

October Home Inspection Tip: Turn on and reverse the direction of ceiling fans on high ceilings to push ELEVATED HOME INSPECTION the warm air down into the living Offers the following services: spaces for added warmth and comfort. Pre-Purchase Home Inspections Pre-Listing or Pre-Sale Home Inspections Michael Levitan, BID Pre-Renovation Inspections Visit us on the web |613|286-8925 Home Monitoring Services www.elevatedhomeinspection.ca [email protected] October 30, 2017 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM 13

Holocaust Education Month – November 2017

The Centre for Holocaust Education and Israel Travel Course in Spring 2018 Scholarship proudly presents a unique series of Holocaust-related lectures and workshops Five Thousand Years of History, on the theme of Immigration and Refugees, Then and Now. Religion and Culture in 20 Days! Thursday, Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. HEM Launch in In May 2018, Carleton students will again be Memory of Kristallnacht. From Destruction to traveling to Israel and walking through ancient Rebirth: The Return of Life in the Jewish DP sites, experiencing them not only as travelers Camps. Dr. Avinoam Patt, Professor of Modern but as young scholars. Jewish History & Associate Director of Judaic Studies, University of Hartford. Kehillat Beth The Israel Travel Course will introduce Israel Synagogue, 1400 Coldrey Avenue. students to the Israel behind the headlines.

By bringing Jews and non-Jews together in a positive encounter, we help them understand Welcoming our Future Leaders their historical relationship with each other, appreciate the variety of people who live in Our internship placements in the Jewish Israel and experience the rich cultural diversity community have provided students with of the modern state. amazing chances to develop leadership skills during their school years since 2010. Students will experience the rhythms of life in Israel as a culturally and religiously diverse This year, the Developing Future Leaders modern country: from lunch with the Druze, to a program welcomes 11 students from Carleton traditional home Shabbat in Jerusalem, fl oating University, Ottawa University and Algonquin in the Dead Sea, camel riding in the Judean College. Each will be working closely with our desert, hearing the call to prayer from Mosques partner agencies gaining invaluable leadership against the chiming of church bells and the loud experience and contributing meaningfully to beats of dance music in the streets. Highlights Photo courtesy of USHMM our community. This year’s partners include: include: Exploring biblical Israel at the Temple Tuesday, Nov. 14, 7:00 p.m. Descendants of Mount, the origins of Christianity from Judaism, Holocaust Survivors Speak Out: Memory, Tamir Second Temple Judaism, Rabbinic Judaism Identity and Emerging Narratives. Israel’s in ancient synagogues, Crusades at the ruins Ottawa Modern Jewish School (OMJS) Ambassador to Canada, Nimrod Barkan; Elin of a Crusader fortress, Jewish mysticism in Embassy of Israel in Canada Beaumont, Azrieli Foundation; defence lawyer 17th century Safed and learning about the Lawrence Greenspon, University of Ottawa Jewish Community Centre (JCC) Holocaust at Yad Vashem. Students will hear Prof. Jan Grabowski. For descendants of Bess and Moe Greenberg Hillel Lodge/Jewish from Women of the Wall, meet local Jewish, survivors only. RSVP: chesatcarleton@gmail. Christian and Arab university students, explore Community Centre (JCC) com. Location: Kehillat Beth Israel Synagogue, biblical Nazareth, experience a modern kibbutz, Ottawa Jewish Bulletin 1400 Coldrey Avenue. visit the Baha’i Temple in Haifa and observe Hillel Ottawa the meeting of secular and religious life on the Thursday, Nov. 16, 7:00 p.m. Remembering Center for Israel and Jewish A airs (CIJA) beaches of Tel Aviv. , a special program honouring Limmud Ottawa John Hirsch Hirsch’s contributions to theatre on the Learn more about the Israel Travel Course at Hillel Ottawa/Save a Child’s Heart 70th anniversary of his arrival in Canada as carleton.ca/studyisrael/ one of 1,123 Holocaust orphans. Actor Alon Interested in learning more about the program? Nashman (in a play by Hirsch); NAC CEO Peter Visit: carleton.ca/jewishstudies/developing- Herrndorf; actor Marilyn Lightstone. National future-leaders-program/ Arts Centre, O’Born Room.

Thursday, Nov. 23, 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Your support Teachers’ Workshop 2017 commemorating 70 years since the arrival of 1,123 Holocaust Each of these programs is made orphans in Canada. Orphan Robbie Waisman; possible through the generosity of CBC journalist Judy Trinh; Elin Beaumont, donors. To support the Zelikovitz Azrieli Foundation. For teachers only. Register by Nov. 9 at http://bit.ly/chesteachers. Temple Centre or any of these programs please Israel, 1301 Prince of Wales Drive. visit futurefunder.ca and search for Zelikovitz, DFL, Israel or Holocaust. Plus: Don’t miss our In Conversation with a Survivor Series hosted by Carleton University Giving Tuesday: On November 28, 2017 and University of Ottawa professors.

$250,000 in university matching funds will For full details of this and other programs, visit: be available between 12:00AM-11:59 EST, www.carleton.ca/ches/events/2017-holocaust- while funds last. Each gift made through education-month/ FutureFunder.ca will be matched, dollar- for-dollar (up to a maximum of $1,000, or To support CHES, visit: futurefunder.carleton.ca/giving-fund/centre- until our goal is met). for-holocaust-education-and-scholarship/ October 30, 2017 14 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM October 30, 2017 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM 15 October 30, 2017 16 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM Powerful story unfolds in an Israeli comedy club

A Horse Walks into a Bar By David Grossman Translated by Jessica Cohen RUBIN FRIEDMAN Alfred A. Knopf 194 pages BOOK REVIEW

Horse Walks into a Bar by Israeli author David Grossman is come, kept off balance by the comic’s about a stand-up comic alternation between caustic attacks on delivering a routine that starts members of the audience, standard jokes, withA glib insults but transforms into a and self-flagellation. We are experiencing personal confession of loss, bitterness a kind of “divine comedy,” an entertain- and guilt. ment that reveals not only the pain of And while this ‘routine’ is the one we the comic, which he may evoke in the experience from beginning to end, the reader, but also the emotions of horror, book is also about personal responsibil- shame, regret and guilt that leave us with ity, how we judge people and do or do the same conundrum of how to go on. not reach out to them, how we deal with Grossman deftly uses the audience but, our own demons, memories, and shame, in particular, the narrator of the book, to and the heart of much that is self-re- reveal how we may all be connected to proach in life and literature. this story. The narrator is a retired judge Grossman brings out much that is who has been persuaded to come and laughable and absurd through the com- watch the show by the comic because ic’s routine but as it continues, the audi- they knew each other as preteens at a ence, the narrator, and we with them, time when each was feeling alienated and sense that this comic will not only skirt alone. Through the routine, and the nar- disaster and bitterness but might actual- rator’s own comments about the past, the ly plunge in. Unlike a writer like Shalom judge realizes that he is there not only to Aleichem, who in most stories wants to judge the comic, but his own culpability leave us laughing, Grossman will force in betraying his friend, and even his ten- us to see the whole catastrophe. dency to be judgmental and aloof. There That constant sense of approaching are hints in the comic’s jokes of a judg- danger holds the narrator, who has a ment even broader on Israeli society and personal connection to the comic which how it deals with people’s differences, is only revealed gradually. their sense of aloneness. From the start there are hints of Kaf- The heart of the comic’s person- ka’s story about a talking ape’s presen- al guilt is that when he was called tation/confession to an academy. The from his pre-army camp in the Negev comic comes in, adopts a pose, “crouch- because one of his Holocaust survivor ing like a monkey,” and opens with “Oh parents died, he did not know which wait, this isn’t Caesarea.” The Netanya one until he got to the funeral. On the audience laughs and we are off on our journey north, he thought about which journey with him and the narrator, each one it was. In his mind, his decision into his own personal hell/purgatory. about who he would meet was going to We are plunged into the middle of an determine who was actually dead. The unknown place; uncertain of what is to whole emotional roller coaster of trying to decide who he hoped he would see and mutual forgiveness can our guilt, even alienated him from himself. No shame, and pain be assuaged. one at the camp reached out to him, A Horse Walks into a Bar provides not even his friend. a very human message in a time and the Grey Jazz Big Band In this routine, the comic was seek- place where we have much to forgive ing a kind of absolution through being each other for. A Concert to Remember judged. But the judge discovers he, too, A Horse Walks into a Bar by David is seeking the same absolution. We are Grossman was the winner of the Mann With Bill Luxton & Mary Francis Simpson left with the sense that only through self Booker International Prize for 2017. november 10 | 2pm Hulse, Playfair & McGarry Serving your community since 1925 Customer: 613-233-1143 www.hpmcgarry.ca HULSE, PLAYFAIR & MCGARRY Issue: JULY 24, 2017 Colour: B&W ALWAYS SOMETHING PLAYING AT CENTREPOINTE THEATRES CTSEASON Click and stay connected with us Size: 5” x 2.5” # Proof #: 1 October 30, 2017 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM 17 The Kristallnacht story of Bernie Tash BY FLORALOVE KATZ ernie Tash, my beloved Uncle Bernie, was born Bernhard Tachauer in 1920 in Marktbreit, Germany. In November 1938, he was in Frankfurt with Ba group of young men apprenticing to become mas- ter carpenters. On the morning of November 10, they learned that their synagogue had been set on fire. A few minutes later, police stormed into their residence and ordered them down to the sidewalk. They lined the boys up, punched and beat them, and told them to “get out and never come back!” Bernie boarded a train with the small change in his pocket, hoping to get home to Marktbreit, a four-hour journey. He had to change trains in Würzburg. On the platform, there, he ran into an official from a Jewish organization in Munich, a Frau Renner. She was unable to help him or even to offer advice. She, herself, was frantic, and told Bernie that all the Jewish men and boys in Munich had been rounded up and that their synagogue had been burned to the ground. Bernie arrived in Marktbreit very late. His already terrified parents were horrified to see him back. At around midnight, a mob of hoodlums stormed into their home, smashed all of their furniture, belongings, and the mirrors on the walls – before leaving abruptly. Late the next night, Bernie and his parents man- aged to get on a train to Treuchtlingen. By then, they had learned that the pogrom – which became known as Kristallnacht, the Night of Broken Glass – was nationwide and that Jewish life had come to a horrific end in Germany. Bernie’s exhausted parents encour- aged him to go on alone. That was the last time he ever saw them. Somehow, in all the chaos, assaults, screams and terror, Bernie was allowed by a station master and Bernie and Dorothy Tash in Montreal, circa 1946. train conductor to travel on to Munich – even though he was penniless and unable to pay his fare. In so doing, they effectively saved his life. From there, he forcibly removed from Britain, at Isle aux Noix, for homes, graceful cabinetry, sturdy chairs for even the somehow made his way to Great Britain, where this another two years. smallest child, and every possible creative wooden gentle, traumatized young man was interned as an Released after the war, Bernie contributed to Can- solution to a storage dilemma. His hallmark compas- “enemy alien” at Kitchner Camp, Isle of Man for 14 ada through volunteerism and numerous other ways sion and sensitivity added light and soft humour to months. He was then moved to Canada, where again throughout his life. He and my Aunt Dorothy pro- all of those fortunate to know, and to love him. But he he was interned as an enemy alien, behind barbed wire duced two wonderful, intelligent offspring. Bernie’s quietly mourned the murder of his beloved parents in an internment camp for European Jewish refugees “golden hands” and “perfect eye” built hundreds of until his death in 2004.

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Card Donations Stella and Norman Beck Family Fund David, Harvey, Victor Kardish Family Fund Carole and Norman Zagerman Family Card donations go a long way to improving Fund the quality of life for our residents. Thank In Memory of: In Observance of the Yahrzeit of: Mother of Judi Hoffman by Sheila Beck In Honour of: you for considering their needs and contrib- Mina Jankielewitz Beloved mother and grand- mother by Gale, Victor and Sydney Kardish Dr. Mark Dover Mazel Tov on your very special uting to their well-being. 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Friedberg and Dale Families Fund Linda and Steven Kerzner Mazel Tov on the Sandra (Leon) Benary by Seymour and Joy Mender upcoming marriage of your daughter Jessi- In Honour of: In Honour of: HONOUR FUNDS ca by Brenda and Nathan Levine Sol and Estelle Gunner Mazel Tov on the birth Eleazer and Shulamis Durden Mazel Tov on Unlike a bequest or gift of life insurance, of your granddaughter by Joy, Seymour, the engagement of your daughter by Elaine R’Fuah Shlema: which are realized some time in the future, a Jess and Sean, David and Jared Friedberg and Bob Dale Chaim and Raina Feig by Janet Kaiman and named Honour Fund (i.e., endowment fund) Brenda Levine and Families Jewel Lowenstein Happy 75th Birthday by is established during your lifetime. In Memory of: Joy and Seymour Mender In Memory of: By making a contribution of $1,000 or Ian Doull by Elaine Friedberg and Bob and Joel Paul Best wishes on your birthday by Jonah Poplove by the Kimmel, Kaiman and more, you can create a permanent remem- Jon Dale Ethlyn, Barry and Sarah Agulnik Levine Families brance for a loved one, honour a family mem- ***************** ber, declare what the Lodge has meant to you Nell Gluck Memorial Fund Recreation Program and/or support a cause that you believe in. Joan and Russell Kronick Family Fund In Honour of: In Memory of: A Hillel Lodge Honour Fund is a per- Strom Eedy Congratulations on your mile- In Memory of: Jonah Poplove by Annette Albert manent pool of capital that earns interest Alla Levin by Joan and Russell Kronick stone Birthday by Julia Gluck and Ted and In Honour of: or income each year. This income then sup- Jess Overton Geithner Family Mazel Tov Phyllis Cleiman Mazel Tov on your special ports the priorities designated by you, the donor. on moving to your new home by Henry, Gert and Norm Leyton Family Fund Birthday by Sandy and Al Bennett Maureen, Edie, Shahar and girls In Honour of: ************** Karen and Shanon Gordon Mazel Tov on Ruth and Irving Aaron Family Fund Mark and Barbara Siegel Mazel Tov on the mar- In Memory of: the birth of your beautiful daughter Sara riage of your daughter Taylor to Dovi Chein Lois Doctor by the residents, staff and Boards In Honour of: Devora Galia by Henry and Maureen by Cheryl Leyton and Manuel Glimcher of the Lodge and LTC Foundation Issie and Leah Scarowsky Mazel Tov on the Molot birth of your latest grandchild by Ruth and Lisa Glaser by the residents, staff and Boards Freda Saphier Mazel Tov on your special of the Lodge and LTC Foundation Irving Aaron Ken and Leah Miller Family Fund Birthday by Cheryle and Manny Gluck Mother of Judi Hoffman by Janet and Norman Sam and Dora Litwack Mazel Tov on your 60th R’Fuah Shlema: In Honour of: Ironstone and Francoise and Ron Vexler Anniversary by Ruth and Irving Aaron Dina Teitlebaum by Henry and Maureen Molot David Wayne Wishing you all the best on In Honour of: Marcia and Barry Cantor Congratulations on your 90th Birthday by Leah and Ken Miller the birth of your granddaughter by Ruth In Memory of: Max Cohen Very best wishes on your very and Irving Aaron Sheila Koffman by Henry and Maureen Molot special Birthday by Sandy, Arron, Jeff, Barb Esther and Irving Kulik Mazel Tov on the birth Marvin Brill by Henry and Maureen Molot Shirley and Maurice Rose Family Fund and Maya Fishbain of your grandson by Ruth and Irving Aaron In Honour of: Shanon and Kerrin Gordon Mazel Tov on the Candice and Stan Wilder Mazel Tov on Gunner Family Fund Lionel Metrick Mazel Tov on your 100th Birth- birth of your daughter by Nicole Goldstone Michael’s engagement to Bryna by Ruth and Adam Dodek In Honour of: day by Mavis and Simon Wasserberger and Irving Aaron Steve and Laurie Gordon Mazel Tov on the Sol and Estelle Gunner Mazel Tov on the In Memory of: birth of your granddaughter by Nicole birth of your granddaughter Peyton Jade Norma Kornblat by Mavis and Simon Wass- Goldstone and Adam Dodek Bill and Leona Adler Family Fund by Toby and Tedd Nathanson, Arnold and erberger Jeff and Felice Pleet In appreciation of your kind- In Memory of: Jeanette Finkelstein, Anna and Sam Wex, ness by Mindy Bullion and Joel Benmergui Lois Doctor by Marilyn Adler Annette Albert, Ingrid Levitz, Flo and Joel Schachter/Ingber Family Fund Allan and Rhona Glube In appreciation by the Morgan 70ish in 2017 Reunion Group Lisa Glaser by Marilyn Adler In Honour of: Jerry Robbins Best wishes on your special In Memory of: Marnie and Marc Welikovitch Mazel Tov Birthday by Phyllis and Bill Cleiman Auxiliary of Hillel Lodge Jonah Poplove by Sol and Estelle Gunner on the engagement of Lindsay to Ben by Sol and Estelle Gunner Mazel Tov on the R’Fuah Shlema: Rachel and Howard Schachter Shana Tova: birth of your granddaughter by Phyllis and Joel Morgan by Sol and Estelle Gunner Roz and Steve Fremeth by Julie and Joe Bill Cleiman Kanter Anna and Samuel Wex Family Fund Evelyn and Isadore Hoffman Family Sol and Helen Rauch Chag Sameach and many In Memory of: In Honour of: thanks by Eric Elkin and Molly Hirsch Fund Jonah Poplove by Nicole Goldstone and Arlene Rosenbloom In appreciation and best R’Fuah Shlema: Adam Dodek In Memory of: wishes on your new endeavours by Anna Dina Teitlebaum by Nicole Goldstone and Rose Stein by Nicole Goldstone and Adam Dodek Liza Rapkin by Isadore and Evelyn Hoffman and Sam Wex Adam Dodek

THE LODGE EXPRESSES ITS SINCERE APPRECIATION FOR YOUR KIND SUPPORT AND APOLOGIZES FOR ANY ERRORS OR OMISSIONS. DUE TO SPACE LIMITATIONS, THE WORDING APPEARING IN THE BULLETIN IS NOT NECESSARILY THE WORDING WHICH APPEARED ON THE CARD.

“GIVING IS RECEIVING” – ATTRACTIVE CARDS AVAILABLE FOR ALL OCCASIONS Here’s a great opportunity to recognize an event or convey the appropriate sentiment to someone important to you and at the same time support the Lodge. Call orders may be given to Cathie at 728-3990, 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Monday to Friday. You may also go to: www.hillel-ltc.com and click on the “Donate Now” button to make your donations. Cards may be paid for by Visa or Mastercard. Contributions are tax deductible. October 30, 2017 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM 19

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For more information contact: Cindy Presser Benedek - Associate Director [email protected] cbbottawa.com 613.244.9210 October 30, 2017 20 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM Semer Ensemble to perform Jewish music from recordings destroyed by the Nazis on Kristallnacht

ADAM BERRY The Semer Ensemble will perform a special concert, “Rescued Treasure,” featuring Jewish music originally recorded in Berlin on the Semer label in the 1930s, on Thursday, November 9, 7:30 pm, at Southminster United Church, 15 Aylmer Avenue (at Bank Street) in Old Ottawa South. The masters of these recordings were destroyed by the Nazis on Kristallnacht in 1938 and the label’s music catalogue was reconstructed from private collections many decades later. The Semer Ensemble includes such stellar musicians and singers as Alan Bern (Brave Old World, The Other Europeans) and Lorin Sklamberg (The Klezmatics). The group is touring North America in November and the Ottawa concert takes place on the 79th anniversary of Kristallnacht. The concert is presented by Concerts By the Canal in partnership with the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany. Visit http://bit.ly/2yjBGSy for tickets or more information.

Poppies by Benoit Aubry of Ottawa On November 11 We acknowledge our nation’s heroes, past and present. We will remember: The courage of our war veterans. Those who served. Those who fought. Those who died. We are forever grateful. October 30, 2017 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM 21 Hamas and PA ‘dancing at their pretend wedding’

edding bells are once again ringing for which is allied with Egypt. Both countries have wanted Hamas and the Palestinian Authority Hamas to sever ties with Qatar and the Muslim Broth- (PA). erhood, and Dahlan helped make that happen. BARBARA CROOK But don’t rush out to rent a tux or As a reward, and in hopes of weakening Hamas’ Wcheck out their gift registry at WeaponsRUs just yet. MY ISRAEL ties with Iran, Egypt permitted longer hours for border This match made in hell faces the same obstacles as crossings with Gaza, and allowed residents of Gaza to the last time these frenemies tried to make nice with pass through Egypt on their pilgrimages to Mecca. And each other in 2014. the UAE started paying some of Hamas’s bills. And make no mistake. Whatever the two parties say since then. So Abbas, in danger of becoming the odd man out, about Palestinian unity and building bridges, this latest But things have worked out reasonably well for the essentially surrendered to Hamas by proposing the unity attempt at a shotgun wedding has nothing to do with two sides. Abbas and Fatah get to be portrayed as the government. The only concession Hamas had to make advancing the peace process or Hamas becoming more good guys, even though they have continued to fund was to dismantle its civil governing authority, which was moderate. Hamas’s operations in Gaza. That includes water, electric- formed only after Abbas cut off funding in the spring. It’s all about protecting a fiefdom, in the case of PA ity and generous payments to terrorists and their families. The PA will restore its funding, and Hamas can con- President Mahmoud Abbas, and finding money to keep Every two years or so, Hamas provokes a war centrate on building tunnels and planning its next war the lights on in Gaza for Hamas. against Israel, hides behind civilian targets and then with Israel. Let’s go back in time to set the context. sets up Israel as the bad guy. At time of writing, the two sides have signed an In 2006, Palestinians held general elections for the Not only have Abbas’s hands stayed clean, but he interim reconciliation deal in Cairo – but without first time in 10 years. Before these elections, the Pales- gets to play statesman and worm his way into inter- resolving any of their major conflicts. tinian Legislative Council (PLC) had been dominated national bodies – most recently Interpol – despite his Among other issues, Hamas refuses to disarm, and by Abbas’ Fatah movement. regime’s glorification of terrorists and refusal to recog- Fatah doesn’t want to pay Hamas’ 40,000 employees in But this time around, Hamas won 74 of 132 seats, nize Israel as a Jewish state. Gaza. And Israel won’t accept any reconciliation that and briefly formed a government. Israel and the Quar- So what led to the latest attempt at a unity govern- does not include accepting international agreements tet on the Middle East soon imposed sanctions, and ment? and recognizing Israel. the U.S. encouraged other governments to suspend aid To start, Abbas pulled the plug on Hamas’s funding We’ll know more when all factions meet again on to the new entity. last April. The ostensible reason was pressure from the November 21. After initially refusing to form a coalition govern- U.S., which is soon to pass the Taylor-Force Act that Whatever the outcome, the leaders of the PA and ment with Hamas, Abbas signed an agreement for a would cut off funding to the PA if it continues to pay Hamas are playing political games to secure power and national unity government in February 2007. terrorist salaries. score points against Israel. Their pawns are the resi- Four months later, however, all bets were off. After a The funding cut was also retaliation for Hamas’s dents of Gaza, who are living in literal and figurative week of bloody clashes between Hamas and Fatah that overtures to Muhammad Dahlan, a former ally who darkness while their leaders profit from foreign aid and left 118 people dead and more than 550 wounded, Hamas has been Abbas’s arch enemy since 2011. the willful ignorance of the international community. took control of Gaza and Fatah retreated to Ramallah. Instead of punishing Hamas for favouring Dahlan, They may be dancing at their pretend wedding, but Now in his 12th year of what was supposed to be a however, Abbas’s plan backfired. they’re really dancing on the graves of their own peo- four-year term, Abbas hasn’t risked calling elections Dahlan is based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), ple – and that of the peace process. Blame the Gee-Gees for Panda Game on Yom Kippur

ot since the Oscars have so many stars collided: because any host university can request to change the The holiest day of Judaism, Yom Kippur, and ALEXANDER CHUCHIN date based on campus needs. In fact, many universities the holiest day of university athletics, the Panda changed sporting dates the week of Sukkot because Game, both fell this year on September 30. CAMPUS of Thanksgiving; their schedule, unlike the Ten Com- NThe Panda Game, on Ottawa’s campuses, is a big LIFE mandments, is flexible. deal. A very big deal. For the perplexed, it is the oldest Likewise, Carleton University is blameless. I was sur- athletics rivalry between the Carleton Ravens and the prised to find out that not only does Carleton Universi- University of Ottawa Gee-Gees. It is, by far, the most ty pay attention to the dates of the High Holidays, they popular college football game in the country. “it wasn’t hard to pick to not to go to Panda Game even pushed Homecoming away from major festivities Last year, the Panda Game was the largest Canadian because, to me, Yom Kippur is an important holiday.” to “try to bring as many alumni back to campus.” Interuniversity Sport regular-season football game in Yet, she added, her plans changed: “Normally, I would The last culprit is guilty. Since the Panda Game at least two decades. This year eclipsed it. The Canadi- stay in Ottawa. [This year,] I decided to go home to alternates between Carleton and uOttawa, this year’s an Football League hypes it as “more than a game,” so Toronto for the holiday so that I wouldn’t get jealous hosts were the Gee-Gees. Although uOttawa could much so that at the start, the over 24,000 fans “march of my friends… partying while I spend the day fasting.” have requested – and, according to the OUA, they in like members of a religious congregation at a service.” All of this could have been solved by pushing the would have most likely accepted – a change in date, Maybe. But for the students torn between Yom Kip- Panda Game to the Sunday – or to another week. So they yielded. More troublingly, when asked, their pur and Pedro, the adorable if terrifying panda mascot why not? Faced with the terrible burden of local Jewish spokesperson said instead “that all scheduling is done that Wikipedia somehow claims is a “national icon,” journalistic integrity, I decided to find the truth. It may at the league level.” In short, nothing else could have the choice is starker: Join the festivities, or respect even shock you to read another three hundred words. been done. your faith. Football might involve two teams, but it needs four Compare this with the response from McMaster Most of the Ottawa Jewish students I talked to partners to play the administrative tango. The national and Laurier universities which accidentally scheduled did the obvious. They went to shul. At the Chabad sports association – obnoxiously called U SPORTS – “is homecoming games on Yom Kippur. Both told me they Student Network’s Kol Nidre service at Tabaret Hall, not responsible for scheduling pre-season or regular deeply regret scheduling on the same weekend as Yom for instance, the pews were almost filled. This could season games,” having earned the mantle to only man- Kippur and will consciously work to avoid conflicts with explain the divine retribution that the Gee-Gees faced age national championships. Instead, it transfers the significant holidays in the future. Laurier University also – they lost this year in double overtime, again, just like responsibilities to Ontario University Athletics (OUA), hosted a kosher breakfast the day after with the univer- they lost the last four consecutive years. (My prayers the independent provincial arm that tentatively sched- sity’s football team and senior administration.University this year were answered.) ules competitions for 23 sports. of Ottawa’s Sports Services did no such thing. They But there were quite a few faces missing. They went Most football games are booked by the OUA each should have been more upfront in their answer: Jew- home, rather than to stay here. Amanda Wagner, a Saturday at 1 pm. Their CEO, Gord Grace, explained ish holidays don’t matter. At least it would have been third year Carleton University student, told me that over the phone that it is largely a matter of technicality honest. October 30, 2017 22 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM Strengthen your body, mind and spirit by helping yourself and by helping others

’m not a big believer in making New Year’s resolu- home for Yom Kippur breaking-the-fast. tions, but this Rosh Hashanah I made a simple Another day, I raked all the pine cones from my front resolution that has the potential to have a profound GLORIA SCHWARTZ lawn and did my neighbour’s lawn, too. While I’ve heard impact on myself and others. I set a goal to do one that the best way to give to charity is to do it anony- Iextra thing each week to better myself and one thing FOCUS ON mously, I believe that sharing one’s good deeds inspires each week to help others. True fitness encompasses the FITNESS others to perform acts of kindness. The interesting thing body, mind and spirit. Each of us has the power to work about doing mitzvot is that it’s like exercise for the soul. towards achieving our full potential. This is a lifelong In a world that sometimes seems frightening and hope- endeavour and though our motivation may ebb and less, consciously doing good deeds helps remind us that flow, it’s a worthwhile pursuit. there is more good than evil in the world. Whether you Self-improvement starts with acknowledging areas The commitment I made to regularly give of your time or your money to those less fortunate within ourselves that warrant change. In my case, I’d had do good things for others enhanced or simply smile as you pass a stranger, it’s a gift to your- a lazy summer in which I slacked off with my exercise. my spiritual fitness. self as well. Giving lifts your spirit. Although I ran my usual half-marathon in September, If you are stuck in a rut and want to do something I hadn’t trained properly for it. I managed to complete similar, identify what you’d like to do for yourself and it despite the extreme heat on race day and my lack of The worst thing to do when not feeling well is to avoid ways you can help others. The best way to help others preparation in the preceding months, but I knew I could all physical activities. Swimming and other gentle exer- is to ensure you’re looking after yourself. When you’re do better. I normally enjoy strength training several cises made me feel more energetic during this period. not feeling well, you’re not in the best position to give times per week, but this past summer I lost most of my Once I was back into a routine and rededicated to my of yourself. The more we practice something, the more motivation. The results showed. I gained some unwanted own health, I was mentally ready to do more for others. habit-forming it becomes. At first, we may have to real- weight and felt a bit flabby. My pants were tight. The commitment I made to regularly do good things ly think about “What exercise should I do today?” or Success is not built solely on good intentions. Just a for others enhanced my spiritual fitness. The first week “How can I help someone less fortunate today?” Even- few days after getting back to the gym and the physical of the New Year, I delivered a health and wellness tually it becomes second-nature. activities I enjoy, I pulled my lower back out. I wish I had workshop at a dress-for-success women’s conference. The best gift may be the gift of compassion, wheth- a glamourous story about how that happened but it was I did this as a volunteer and spent about 20 hours er it’s compassion for yourself and tending to your really just a matter of coughing hard. Bending and get- preparing my presentation. health or compassion for others. Whether your contri- ting up from a chair were moderately painful so I avoid- The next week, I heard that the Ottawa Kosher Food butions to yourself and others are big or small, wheth- ed exercises that might aggravate my condition, such as Bank was low on supplies so I bought a cart full of er they involve your time, money, energy or skills, they squatting and kickboxing. Instead, I did what I advise canned goods and dropped them off. After learning of add up and make a difference. I’d like to challenge clients to do when they have aches and pains: I went an old friend’s difficult situation with a very ill spouse, everyone to do one extra thing each week that makes a swimming and I modified my strength training exercises. I reached out, reconnected and invited him to my difference to your own well-being and that of others. October 30, 2017 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM 23 What’s changed since I started writing this column?

t’s been about two years since I started filling this he doesn’t) basically discriminated against based on space with my musings on parenthood, framed which synagogue they do or don’t attend. through a Jewish lens. STEPHANIE SHEFRIN He cites examples like use of the community mik- In a letter to the editor (September 18), Alyce MODERN vah or the fact that he’s not allowed to supervise IBaker wondered aloud whether some of the subjects kashrut in the kitchen at his own shul. I’ve raised have been addressed by the community MISHPOCHA If our community is truly dedicated to the notion of leadership. inclusivity, why was it when several Jewish institutions Thanks Alyce, for taking the time to write. Thanks representing all walks of Jewish life were defaced last to all of you, really, who’ve told me personally, or via We need to all stand together to build year with hateful graffiti, a community unity rally was likes or shares on Facebook, that you’ve enjoyed some held on a Saturday at a synagogue well beyond walking of what I’ve been writing over this time. true community – and no matter our distance for so many others who are shomer Shabbat? It’s not just Alyce’s letter prompting this column religious perspectives, in an era of One of the reasons I think PJ Library programming but also the excellent sermon delivered by my rabbi, rising anti-Semitism, the strength grows in popularity is because its true aim is to reach Eytan Kenter, on the second day of Rosh Hashanah. Jewish people across the religious spectrum. For that If you haven’t read it, go, now, to the Kehillat Beth of that community must be paramount reason, sometimes I think it’s unfortunate that those Israel (KBI) website, have a read and then come back. above all others. in attendance don’t often represent that spectrum. http://tinyurl.com/y8ujjjhv We need to all stand together to build true commu- While I was in shul on Rosh Hashanah, I didn’t hear their rituals and celebrations. nity – and no matter our religious perspectives, in an Rabbi Kenter’s sermon. I was downstairs at KBI’s fam- In the aftermath of the column, the Soloway Jewish era of rising anti-Semitism, the strength of that com- ily service. For the second year in row, Rabbi Deborah Community Centre (SJCC) also reached out to me and munity must be paramount above all others. As we Zuker put together a program that was meaningful suggested they’d be willing to open the doors on Sat- know all too well from not just the past – which shul for both adults and young children alike – equal parts urday morning for Jewish-themed programming. The you attend matters not at all to those who hate us. prayer and play – and kol hakovod to her for doing it. take-away for me was that I’d have to be willing to run I raised in a recent column the question of whether Rabbi Zuker was the first to respond publicly to one it, and in truth, life intervened and it was an idea that PJ Library ought to continue to be free, and whether of my columns – the one where I talked about want- just never got off the ground. it motivates people to go beyond passively attending ing to find a way to be with other Jewish families on But that the SJCC was open to some Saturday pro- events to also give of their time or money. Saturday mornings that was more Shabbat-like than a gramming is in my view a good sign and brings me Turns out, the folks at PJ Library did ask partici- Monkey Rock class but less, shall we say, rigid, than a back to Rabbi Kenter’s sermon. You’ve read it by now, pants that question in a survey and the answer is a traditional Shabbat at shul. right? Good. general yes – I heard about it directly from them a few She wrote a letter then outlining the ways KBI was One of the crucial points he raises, in my view, is weeks ago. hoping to fill that gap and in the months since, there the extent to which inclusivity – a major buzzword So, yes, much has changed in the landscape of our have been dozens of wonderful family programs we’ve in Federation circles these days – means as much community since I started writing, and many good come to really enjoy. I know other shuls are equally as it could here in Ottawa. He cites a few examples things have begun to happen. But we need to keep trying to incorporate the needs of young families into where people are being (and I’ll use the word though working at it to make it better for all of us.

Too Late for Two States? ATooTALK LateWITH forGERSHON Two States?SHAFIR Temple Israel A TALK WITH GERSHON SHAFIR An egalitarian Reform congregation Ottawa - November 14, 7:00 pm Soloway JewishOttawa Community - November Centre 14,- 21 7:00 Nadolny pm Sachs Private Soloway Jewish Community Centre - 21 Nadolny Sachs Private Jewish roots, contemporary values, egalitarian Gershon Shafir is Professor of Sociology Friday Kabbalat Shabbat Services, 6:15 pm. Gershonat the University Shafir is of Professor California-San of Sociology Diego, Saturday Shabbat Services, 10:15 am. atpast the president University of ofthe California-San Israel Studies Diego, Association and author of a number of Thursday morning minyanim: past president of the Israel Studies second and fourth Thursdays, 7:30 am. Associationbooks on Israeli and authorsociety ofand a numberpolitics and of bookson human on Israeli rights. society and politics and Hison humanlatest work rights. is: A Half Century of Sunday November 12, 2017 HisOccupation: latest work Israel, is: A PalestineHalf Century and ofthe A Horse Walked into a Bar by David Grossman. Occupation:World's Most Israel,Intractable Palestine Conflict. and Inthe this Reviewer is Ruben Friedman. timely and provocativeWorld's work, Gershon Most Intractable Shafir examines Conflict. 50In this 9:30 am breakfast followed by review and discussion. timelyyears of and occupation provocative and work, the prospects Gershon forShafir a two-state examines 50 yearssolution of occupationto the conflict. and the prospects for a two-state solution to the conflict. President Patsy Royer Temple Israel Religious School Principal PROF. SHAFIR'S NEW BOOK WILL BE ON SALE AT THE EVENT Rabbi Robert Morais Sue Potechin Rabbi Emeritus Steven H. Garten Administration PROF. SHAFIR'S NEW BOOK WILL BE ON SALE AT THE EVENT Officer Hosted by Canadian Friends of Peace Now Executive Director Heather Cohen Cathy Loves HostedADMISSION byFREE Canadian- DONATIONS FriendsGRATEFULLY of PeaceACCEPTED Now For more information: [email protected] ADMISSION FREE - DONATIONS GRATEFULLY ACCEPTED 1301 Prince of Wales Drive, Ottawa, ON K2C 1N2 Forwww.peacenowcanada.org more information: [email protected] Tel: 613-224-1802 Fax: 613-224-0707 www.peacenowcanada.org www.templeisraelottawa.ca October 30, 2017 24 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM

foundation donations | Ottawa Jewish Community Foundation

The Board of Directors of the Ottawa Jewish Community Foundation JENNIE AND MORRIS BAYLIN LORI CAPLAN AND PHIL RIMER acknowledges with thanks contributions to the following funds from ENDOWMENT FUND FAMILY FOUNDATION September 15 - October 1, 2017. Rosh Hashanah Greetings to: In Memory of: Reminder: Printed acknowledgment must be requested to appear in Blanche Osterer by Betty Baylin. Haja Rapkowski by Lori Caplan and Phil the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin. Leah Chodikoff and Glen Chodikoff by Rimer and family. Betty Baylin. SAM AND SUSAN FIRESTONE JOIN US IN BUILDING OUR In Memory of: IRVING AND ESTHER BELLMAN ENDOWMENT FUND COMMUNITY BY SUPPORTING Belle Greenspoon by Mark and MEMORIAL FUND THESE LOCAL AGENCIES Cindi Resnick and family. In Memory of: In Memory of: Jonah Poplove by Sam and Susan SHIRLEY AND SHIER BERMAN ANNETTE ALBERT ENDOWMENT Bella Nudel by Mitchell Bellman and Firestone and family. Shelley Crawford. Belle Greenspoon by Sam and Susan FUND FOR OTTAWA JEWISH FUND ARCHIVES Belle Greenspoon by Mitchell Bellman Firestone and family. Mazel Tov to: and Shelley Crawford. Birthday Wishes to: Carol and Michael Burke on the GILBOA/MAOZ FAMILY FUND Shier Berman by Sheila Baslaw and family. engagement of Lawrence and Alyssa by LT. COL. EDMOND AND MRS. Mazel Tov to: Annette Albert. ELIZABETH BLAIS MEMORIAL Leslie and Sara Breiner on the engage- BARRY FISHMAN OTTAWA JEWISH FUND BULLETIN SCHOLARSHIP FUND In Memory of: ment of Shoshana to Samuel by Tal Cormack McGettigan by Annette Albert. In Memory of: Gilboa & Rob Steiner and family. In Memory of: Belle Greenspoon by Barbara and Jules Belle Greenspoon by Michael BRAYDEN APPOTIVE Sigler and family. STAN AND LIBBY GLUBE FAMILY Regenstreif and Sylvie Barzilay. ENDOWMENT FUND FUND CELIA AND MAX BOOKMAN HILLEL LODGE LEGACY FUND Mazel Tov to: In Memory of: Sol and Estelle Gunner on the birth of ENDOWMENT FUND Belle Greenspoon by Bryan and Birthday Wishes to: In Observance of the Yahrzeit of: Beverley Glube. Kenneth Radnoff by Sheila Baslaw and their granddaughter Peyton Jade by Sharon and David Appotive. Celia Bookman a beloved mother by family. Rebecca and Sam Halpern. ANN AND LEON GLUZMAN Mazel Tov to: Birthday Wishes to: Jewel Lowenstein by Sharon and David Max Bookman a beloved father by MEMORIAL FUND Sol and Estelle Gunner on the birth of Rebecca and Sam Halpern. Appotive. Rosh Hashanah Greetings to: their granddaughter Peyton Jade by Ingrid Levitz and family by Brenda and Sheila Baslaw and family. In Memory of: SAM AND ANN BROZOVSKY Stephen Stein. Irene Kasner by Sharon and David Appotive. ENDOWMENT FUND Sid and Cally Kardash by Brenda and OTTAWA JEWISH COMMUNITY Belle Greenspoon by Sharon and Rosh Hashanah Greetings to: Stephen Stein. ENDOWMENT FUND David Appotive. The Lewis Family by Ann Brozovsky. David and Beverly Gluzman by October 30, 2017 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM 25

foundation donations | Ottawa Jewish Community Foundation

Brenda and Stephen Stein. SALLY AND ELLIOTT LEVITAN ELAYNE AND WESLEY SCHACTER WOMEN’S COLLECTIVE Gloria Krugel by Brenda and Stephen Stein. ENDOWMENT FUND ENDOWMENT FUND ENDOWMENT FUND Remembering: Birthday Wishes to: Rosh Hashanah Greetings to: Donation on the Occasion of: Leon Gluzman by Brenda and Stephen Stein. Elliott Levitan by Sharon and Lawrence Bryan and Beverley Glube and family by A Sweet New Year by Janet Dollin. Weinstein. Elayne and Wesley Schacter and family. JEREMY KANTER MEMORIAL FUND In Memory of: In Memory of: Sybil Shapiro by Rhoda, Joe, Yoni and Rosh Hashannah Greetings to: ISSIE AND EDITH LANDAU Belle Greenspoon by Elayne and Wesley Josh Levitan. David and Norma Freeman and family by ENDOWMENT FUND Schacter. Birthday Wishes to: Evelyn Eisenberg. In Observance of the Yahrzeit of: Steven and Rosalyn Fremeth and family HAROLD AND FRANCES SHAFFER Marilyn Fields by Lynne Oreck-Wener Louis Goldberg, a dear father by Edith and Bob Wener. by Evelyn Eisenberg. Landau. MEMORIAL FUND Jonathan Freedman and Aviva Ben- Rosh Hashanah Greetings to: THE SAUL AND EDNA GOLDFARB Choreen and family by Evelyn Eisenberg. THE LEVITZ FAMILY FUND Myra and Sam Krane by Rhea Wohl and B’NAI MITZVAH PROGRAM Dorothy Shaffer. LIEFF FAMILY B’NAI MITZVAH SYD, ETHEL, LINDA AND In Observance of the Yahrzeit of: FUND STEVEN KERZNER AND FAMILY Gerry Levitz by Brenda and Stephen In Memory of: COMMUNITY ENDOWMENT FUND Stein and family; and by Jack and Sarah Sandy Shaffer by Rhea Wohl and In Memory of: Silverstein and family. Dorothy Shaffer; and by Sonia and Belle Greenspoon by Sharon and Refuah Shlemah to: Sheldon Shaffer. Lawrence Weinstein; by Clair Moishe Smith by Steven and THE MARCH OF THE LIVING Krantzberg; by Sol and Zelaine Shinder; Linda Kerzner. In Memory of: ABE AND NELLIE SHAPIRO and by Ingrid Levitz. David Shentow by anonymous. MEMORIAL FUND MORRIS AND LILLIAN KIMMEL MEMORIAL FUND RHODA AND JEFFREY MILLER Refuah Shlemah to: SAMUEL MORGAN B’NAI MITZVAH FAMILY FUND Moishe Smith by Carol-Sue and FUND Refuah Shlemah to: Jack Shapiro. Chaim Feig by Shelli and Steven Kimmel. In Memory of: In Memory of: Belle Greenspoon by Sarah Beutel and Raina Feig by Shelli and Steven Kimmel. Belle Greenspoon by Rhoda and SYLVIA AND HARRY SHERMAN Jeffrey Miller MEMORIAL FUND Steven Morgan. SHARON KOFFMAN ATHLETIC Bella Nudel by Sarah Beutel and In Memory of: Steven Morgan. SCHOLARSHIP FUND DOROTHY AND HERBERT Louis Sherman by Mildred Kronick and NADOLNY ENDOWMENT FUND Mazel Tov to: family. DAHLIA AND ZACHARY Sybil Koffman on the marriage of her Birthday Wishes to: SHABSOVE B’NAI MITZVAH FUND daughter Jennifer to Jakob by Lyon Sachs by Sharon and Lawrence SHMELZER-HOROVITCH Sandra Zagon. Weinstein. ENDOWMENT FUND In Memory of: Jonah Poplove by the Shabsove Family. In Memory of: Birthday Wishes to: Sheila Koffman by Sandra Zagon; and by JACK AND MIRIAM PLEET Andrea Winthrop by Sol and Anne Shmelzer. ENDOWMENT FUND BENJAMIN SHAPIRO BAR Fay Koffman. JACK AND SARAH SILVERSTEIN MITZVAH FUND Belle Greenspoon by Sandra Zagon. In Memory of: FAMILY ENDOWMENT FUND Belle Greenspoon by Miriam Pleet. In Memory of: Birthday Wishes to: In Memory of: Jonah Poplove by Nikki, Michael, John Spencer by Fay Koffman. Refuah Shlemah to: Belle Greenspoon by Jack, Sarah, Neilah and Benjamin Shapiro. Phyllis Silverman by Miriam Pleet. David and Lev Silverstein. KRANTZBERG KRANE FAMILY Diana Malomet by Miriam Pleet. In Appreciation of: FUND LINDA SILVERMAN MEMORIAL Sharon Appotive by Nikki, Michael, Rosh Hashanah Greetings to: SYDNEY SLOAN POTECHIN FUND Neilah and Benjamin Shapiro. Susan and Charlie Schwartzman by MEMORIAL FUND Birthday Wishes to: Refuah Shlemah to: Myra and Sam Krane and family. In Appreciation of: Mark Dover by Phyllis and Marvin Susan Finkelman by Nikki, Michael, Noah, Rajini, Desmond and Isla Potechin Silverman. Neilah and Benjamin Shapiro SUSAN AND DAVID KRIGER by Natasha Zigiris. ENDOWMENT FUND STELLA AND LOUIS SLACK JONATHAN, MATTHEW Condolences to: SAND FAMILY MEMORIAL FUND MEMORIAL FUND AND ADAM SHERMAN B’NAI MITZVAH FUND Arlene Jacobs by Susan and David Kriger. In Observance of the Yahrzeit of: In Memory of: RIVA AND ABRAHAM KROLL Jerry Sand by Allan and Linda Sand. Karen Weinberg by Myra and In Memory of: MEMORIAL FUND Shirley Sand by Allan and Linda Sand. Lester Aronson. Irene Kasner by Randi and Ian Sherman Remembering: Jack Sand by Allan and Linda Sand. Condolences to: and family. Riva and Abraham Kroll by Robert and Eleanor Chochinov by Allan and Joel Shapiro on the loss of his wife Flory Cohen. Linda Sand. Barbara by Myra and Lester Aronson. ARIELLE ZELIKOVITZ B’NAI MITZVAH FUND Mazel Tov to: Sol and Estelle Gunner on the birth of In Memory of: Foundation their granddaughter by Myra and Belle Greenspoon by Lenora, Evan, Lester Aronson. Noah and Arielle Zelikovitz. FACTS Steffi and Tom Hirschen on their grandson’s Bar Mitzvah by Myra and NOAH ZELIKOVITZ B’NAI MITZVAH Lester Aronson. FUND In Memory of: DORIS AND RICHARD STERN Jonah Poplove by Lenora, Evan, Noah An Endowment Fund FAMILY FUND and Arielle Zelikovitz. can be your way to make In Memory of: Contributions may be made Carl Newton by Doris and Richard Stern. online at www.OJCF.ca or by con- a commitment to our future. Samuel Diamond by Doris and tacting the office at 613-798-4696 Richard Stern. extension 274, Monday to Friday Find out more at OCCA or contact THE WOMEN’S COLLECTIVE or by email at tributecards@ojcf. PHILANTHROPY PROGRAM ca. Attractive cards are sent to M G Providing support for services and pro- convey the appropriate senti- mgarten@jewishott awa.com or 613-798-4696 x 270 grams that directly benefit women and ments. All donations are acknowl- children. edged with a charitable receipt. October 30, 2017 26 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM How this pristine 15th-century Hebrew Bible survived the Inquisition

BY CNAAN LIPHSHIZ COIMBRA, Portugal (JTA) – From its mountaintop perch, the University of Coimbra towers majestically over the downtown square that used to be the regional headquarters of the Portuguese Inquisition. It’s a fitting location for the 737-year-old university, the seventh oldest in the world, which outsmarted and outlived the campaign of persecution against Jews and freethinkers unleashed by the Catholic Church and Portugal’s rulers in 1536. “This place was almost literally an ivory tower of knowledge during those dark times,” António Eugénio Maia do Amaral, assistant director of the university’s 500-year-old library, told JTA. Thanks to the university’s undocumented policy of subterfuge against the Inquisition – Amaral said its librarians essentially hid many books that censors would likely have wanted to destroy, reintroducing them CNAAN LIPHSHIZ to the indexes only after the Inquisition was abolished The 15th-century Abravanel Hebrew Bible at Portugal’s Coimbra University. in 1821 – Coimbra was in possession of a collection of rare, pristine Jewish manuscripts found nowhere else. One such manuscript is the Abravanel Hebrew Bible. For centuries, it has been home to a colony of nocturnal, “The margins and drawings were added to the print- Ranked by the university in a 2012 statement as insect-eating bats. In the evenings, when the library is ed copy to make it seem as though it was handwrit- its rarest artifact, the handwritten Bible from the 15th closed, the tables beneath their flight paths are covered ten,” he said. century is perfectly preserved. The book is filled with with furs in order to protect them from the bats’ excrement. This retrograding was partly done for aesthetic reasons drawings on parchment that are so vibrant they seem The University of Coimbra has little information on – readers were used to seeing them – and partly as a “pre- to have been recently created. how exactly it came to possess the Abravanel Hebrew caution,” Amaral said, because some Christian fanatics The Abravanels – a distinguished, wealthy Sephardic Bible, possibly because it was hidden or scrubbed from considered print machines “the works of the devil.” family with branches in Spain and Portugal that fled the library’s indexes to hide it from Inquisition agents. Thousands were murdered during a series of Por- to Amsterdam and the Balkans during the Inquisition What makes the Abravanel Bible so rare, however, tuguese Inquisitions that followed the Spanish Inqui- – commissioned 20 such Bibles. The volume in Coim- isn’t just its age – it’s the pristine condition. Across the sition of 1492. At least 200,000 Jews fled the Iberian bra is among the best preserved of the handful whose Iberian Peninsula, numerous books remain that Jews Peninsula for the Netherlands, South America and the whereabouts are known today. smuggled out during centuries of Inquisition, at risk Middle East during the period, which lasted nearly The book is worth more than $3 million US, accord- to their own lives, but they are damaged. One such three centuries. Thousands more stayed and practiced ing to the university’s Joanine Library, which in 2013 specimen: a 1282 copy of the Mishneh Torah, the code Judaism in secret for generations. was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. of Jewish religious law authored by Rabbi Moshe ben The library’s archives also contain rare, chilling That’s where the Bible is kept – along with hundreds of Maimon, or Maimonides. The book has whole passages records that reveal the bureaucracy behind the Inqui- other precious manuscripts – inside a huge vault with that an Inquisition censor singed away, making them sition’s barbarity. For example, the minutes of a 1729 special climate control and aerial disinfection facilities. lost forever. It’s kept at the 400-year-old library at trial against Manuel Benosh, a Portuguese Jew, indi- The vault is typically only opened to scholars. Yet the Portuguese Synagogue in Amsterdam, which was cated that he was “released” by the Inquisition to civil Amaral took JTA inside to see the Bible. There was founded by refugees from the Inquisition. authorities with an instruction that he be “punished in a brief moment of confusion when the employee The second-rarest specimen at Coimbra’s library flesh” – a euphemism for a death sentence by burning. asked to locate the book said she could not find it is another Bible dating to the 15th century. The Lat- Outside of Lisbon, Coimbra University is the largest in the index system. But Amaral, who has worked at in-language volume was one of the world’s first printed owner of Portuguese Inquisition verdicts. the library for more than 20 years, shrugged and said books, prepared by partners of Johannes Gutenberg, “It was a mission that made this place not only a calmly that he would have to “let the fingers do the the inventor of the print machine. Printed in 1462 – victim and opponent of the horrors of the Inquisition, looking” once inside the vault. just 12 years after the original 42-line Gutenberg Bible but also a witness to them,” Amaral said. Amaral may have been laid back, but he was any- which is on display in Mainz, Germany – the one in True to its tradition of defiance, the library was also thing but cavalier. He expertly navigated the labyrin- Coimbra is the only surviving copy of an edition of one of the few institutions to openly refuse to comply thine vault – two cards with digital keys are required four 48-line Bibles printed by two of his partners. with the censorship policies of the regime of António for access – while donning librarian gloves. He took Language differences aside, the printed book looks de Oliveira Salazar, Portugal’s pro-fascist dictator of 34 care not to breathe directly on the books he handled, similar to the handwritten one. Both have illustrations years, until 1968. so as not to introduce moisture. and hand-drawn margins that writers used to keep “Again there were the same tricks as during the Alongside its technological solutions, the library employs their text straight before the invention of print. Inquisition,” Amaral said. “In the end, we now see who a uniquely time-tested and green method for pest control: That’s no accident, Amaral said. has prevailed.” October 30, 2017 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM 27

what’s going on | October 30 to November 12, 2017 FOR MORE CALENDAR LISTINGS, VISIT WWW.JEWISHOTTAWA.COM/COMMUNITY-CALENDAR

WEEKLY TO TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19 THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2 have children under the age of 18 living at home. Find more at www.JWRP.org CBTO’s Beit Midrash Adult Learning Jewish Family Services of Ottawa AGM 7:45 - 8:15 pm 7 – 9 pm THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9 Congregation Beit Tikvah of Ottawa, 15 Chartwell Ave. Kehillat Beth Israel, 1400 Coldrey Ave. Contact: Elisheva Brantz, [email protected] Contact: Gabriella Stern Young, 613-722-2225, Holocaust Education Month Launch Event Rabbi Durden will give a class on Mishna. Men and women. [email protected] 7 – 9 pm How Jewish Family Services Makes a Difference Kehillat Beth Israel Synagogue1400 Coldrey Avenue TUESDAY, OCTOBER 31 Contact: 613-695-9700, [email protected] MONDAY, NOVEMBER 6 Keynote speaker: Professor Avinoam Patt Great Debates in Jewish History 7 - 8:30 pm, weekly until December 5 JNF Ottawa 2017 Negev Dinner FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10 Ottawa Torah Centre Chabad, 111 Lamplighters Dr. 5:30 - 9:30 pm Infinity Convention Centre, 2901 Gibford Dr. Contact: Rabbi Blum, 613-843-7770, [email protected] OTC Shabbat Dinner with the Jewish neo-Nazi A six-week JLI Course taught by Rabbi Blum. Cost: $90. Contact: Ilana Albert-Novick, 613-798-2411, [email protected] 5:45 – 10 pm Exploring fundamental conflicts that pitted the greatest Dinner in honour of Lawrence Greenspon. Cost: $300 Ottawa Torah Centre, 111 Lamplighters Dr. Jewish minds against each other. Contact: Rabbi Blum, 613-843-7770, [email protected] TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 7 Enjoy a Shabbat dinner and hear the story of an American Jewish neo-Nazi commander’s turn-around. Cost: $30 WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1 In conversation with a Holocaust survivor 3:30 – 5 pm Jewish Federation of Ottawa - CHOICES University of Ottawa, Simard Hall, 60 University Pvt. 5:30 – 9 pm Contact: 613-695-9700, [email protected] Kehillat Beth Israel, 1400 Coldrey Ave. Professor Rebecca Margolis will host survivor David CANDLE LIGHTING BEFORE Contact: Judy Toombs, [email protected] Moskovic and screen his testimonial. Gillian Presner will share how recent challenges have led her NOVEMBER 3 5:29 PM NOVEMBER 24 4:07 PM to a second “coming of age.” Cost $54. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 8 NOVEMBER 10 4:20 PM DECEMBER 1 4:03 PM NOVEMBER 17 4:12 PM DECEMBER 8 4:01 PM Belfour Declaration Program Jewish Federation of Ottawa JWRP Trip to Israel for BULLETIN DEADLINES 7:30 - 9:30 pm Women – Info Session WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 25 FOR NOVEMBER 13 Congregation Beit Tikvah of Ottawa, 15 Chartwell Ave. 7 - 8:30 pm WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 8 FOR NOVEMBER 27 Contact: Elisheva Brantz, [email protected] Soloway JCC, Boardroom WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22 FOR DECEMBER 11 Marking the 100th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration. A Contact: Sarah Beutel, 613-798-4696, [email protected] * Early deadline: Community-wide Issue ** Early deadline: holiday closures movie and video followed by audience discussion. Information session to learn about this trip for women who (all dates subject to change)

UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED, ACTIVITIES TAKE PLACE AT THE JOSEPH AND ROSE AGES FAMILY BUILDING, 21 NADOLNY SACHS PRIVATE

condolences

Condolences are extended to the families of: The Condolence Column Jacob Gellert, Montreal Bernard Hattin, Toronto is offered as a public service (brother of Zvi Gellert) (father of Lisa Garmin) to the community. There is no May their memory charge. For listing in this column, Aubrey Goldstein Valerie Simmons be a blessing always. please call 613 798-4696, ext. 274. Mark Allen Steinberg Voice mail is available.

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