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THANK YOU TO OUR Chanukah celebrations TU BI’SHEVAT – 1st OPTIONS REALTY LTD. – VOLUNTEERS & SUPPORTERS Brokerage, Independently Owned & Operated See photos from some of the Chanukah celebrations Penny Torontow SUPPORTING NORTHERN ISRAEL around Ottawa > p. 16, p. 20, p. 29 Broker of Record TREES $18 | TREE BANK $150 FOR 10 TREES 613-321-3600 • [email protected] [email protected] 613-798-2411 and at www.ottawajewishbulletin.com www.4ottawahomes.com Ottawa Jewish Bulletin JANUARY 20, 2014 | 19 SHEVAT 5774 ESTABLISHED 1937 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM | $2 Meet Rafael Barak, Israel’s new ambassador to Canada The accomplished diplomat sat down with Bulletin Editor Michael Regenstreif at the Embassy of Israel in Ottawa to introduce himself to Ottawa’s Jewish community and to discuss priorities on his agenda and some of Israel’s major issues of concern. The fi rst week on the job was a busy one of an appointed ambassador. for Ambassador Rafael (Rafi ) Barak, the He was in Washington for fi ve years, State of Israel’s new representative in from 2000 to 2005, a period that included Canada. the 9/11 attacks on the United States and In addition to settling into his new the second intifada. home in Ottawa and his new offi ce at the When not stationed abroad, Barak was Embassy of Israel, he presented his a high level offi cial within the ministry of credentials to Governor General David Foreign Affairs. In 1993, he became chief Johnston at Rideau Hall; participated in of staff to the director general during the Chanukah celebrations on Parliament Oslo peace process with the Palestinians Hill and at an Ottawa Senators game at and was an important member of Israel’s the Canadian Tire Centre; and journeyed negotiating team. to Toronto to represent Israel at the “For four years, I spent more time with Jewish National Fund’s Negev Dinner my Palestinian neighbours than with my honouring Prime Minister Stephen wife and kids,” he said. Harper for his steadfast support for the He also served as deputy director PHOTO: PETER WAISER Jewish state. general for European affairs. Prior to his Israeli Ambassador Rafael Barak is looking forward to attending Jewish community events in Barak, 63, was born in Montevideo, appointment as ambassador to Canada, Ottawa. Uruguay, and made aliyah to Israel at 18, Barak was director general of the ministry spending his fi rst year-and-a-half there on – the equivalent of deputy minister – for new ambassador’s fi rst few weeks on the hopefully for an offi cial launch of the a kibbutz. Following his army service, three-and-a-half years. job would have an extra-busy agenda. Stephen J. Harper Hula Valley Bird Barak worked as a licensed tour guide That Israel would tap such a high level “We are very delighted that he’s Sanctuary Visitor and Education Center while studying political science at the offi cial for the ambassadorship to Canada decided to come to Israel,” Barak said, that will be built in the Hula Lake Nature Hebrew University of Jerusalem. is an indication of the importance the noting that Harper has an excellent and Bird Park with the proceeds from the In 1977, having earned an MA, Barak Jewish state places on the Israel-Canada relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Toronto Negev Dinner. joined the ministry of Foreign Affairs and relationship. Benjamin Netanyahu, who has offered his Asked about his priorities as ambassa- served four years as a diplomatic cadet at The ambassador is in Canada with his Canadian counterpart an open invitation dor, Barak mentioned four items at the the Israeli Embassy in Lima, Peru. Later, wife, Miriam. The Baraks have three adult to visit Israel for many years. top of his agenda, some of which are he would serve as Israel’s No. 2 diplomat children and fi ve grandchildren. “We’ll work with the Prime Minister’s obviously inter-related. at several embassies, including Brussels At the Negev Dinner in Toronto, Harper Offi ce and the ministry of Foreign Affairs The fi rst priority is on the economic and Washington – and he headed up the announced he would make his fi rst visit to prepare the visit, to prepare the front. Noting the excellent relations and embassy in Paris for a year in the absence to Israel this month, helping to ensure the appointments and meetings,” and, See Barak on page 2 Federation to hold strategic plan Students to research ritual Fogel and Crook on inside: consultations > p. 3, p. 4, p. 5 practices of Ottawa Jews > p. 9 Harper trip to Israel > p. 13, p. 23 World Class Outsourcing ... and more! 613-744-6444 613-244-7225 Providing quality service 613-744-5767 613-244-4444 to the National Capital Region Publication Mail Agreement No. 40018822 since 1947! www.boydgroup.on.ca 2 January 20, 2014 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM Canada appoints new ambassador to Israel BY MICHAEL REGENSTREIF has an excellent understanding of the EDITOR challenges facing the country and deep Vivian Bercovici, a lawyer and colum- insight into the opportunities provided nist who has written extensively about by the strong links between our two Israel and the Middle East, has been countries.” appointed Canada’s new ambassador to Bercovici, who has taught at the Israel. University of Toronto School of Law, has Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird been writing a monthly column on Israel made the announcement, January 8, as and the Middle East for the Toronto Star plans for Prime Minister Stephen and is seen to be a strong supporter of the Harper’s visit to Israel this month were Jewish state. being put in place. Bercovici, who studied Her appointment was welcomed by the at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA). from 1981 to 1982, will be with the prime “We offer our warm congratulations to PHOTO: FOREIGN AFFAIRS, TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT CANADA minister on the visit. Ambassador Bercovici and are confi dent Vivian Bercovici, Canada’s new ambassador to Israel, is congratulated on her appointment by “Canada and Israel share a strong and she will serve Canada with distinction Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird. multi-faceted relationship based on and honour. Ambassador Bercovici is shared values, common interests and articulate, knowledgeable, and brings a science and technology,” said CIJA Chair coming visit. strong political, economic, cultural and wealth of experience in law and aca- David Koschitzky in a statement released “We also look forward to further social ties,” said Baird in his demia. She is well poised to take the following Baird’s announcement. deepening the bonds between Canada announcement. Canada-Israel relationship to the next Baird also took the opportunity to and Israel during Prime Minister Stephen “Having lived in Israel and written level for the benefi t of both countries, say Canada’s relationship with Israel will Harper’s fi rst offi cial visit to the region extensively on the region, Ms. Bercovici particularly in the areas of trade, energy, be strengthened during Harper’s up- later this month,” said Baird. Barak: Both sides are serious and engaged in peace talks Continued from page 1 political front, explaining the situation Barak said he was looking forward to and Germany – with Iran would not stop goodwill that exist between the govern- facing Israel to politicians – both in getting to know the community and to the Iranians from proceeding on their ments of Israel and Canada, Barak said he government and on the opposition attending community events here. quest for nuclear weaponry as it allows wants to build on that relationship, benches – and to the media and the Turning to some of the issues of them to continue to enrich uranium. particularly in areas of economic Canadian public, and, in the diplomatic concern, the Oslo peace process veteran “The agreement doesn’t cover our collaboration. sphere, particularly on such important said it was a positive development that concerns,” Barak said, adding that Israel “We have a free trade agreement, for issues as Iran, the confl ict with the the current peace talks with the was pleased to see the Canadian govern- example, but it should be improved and Palestinians, and changes that have been Palestinians are being conducted behind ment expressing similar concerns. upgraded,” he said. taking place in the Middle East over the closed doors. Concerning the upheavals in some “We’d like to enter into new fi elds of past several years. “Both sides are serious and are parts of the Arab world over the past co-operation, such as energy. We are the The third priority is scientifi c and engaged,” he said, noting there is much several years, Barak said Israel needs to land of milk and honey, but, suddenly, educational co-operation and research skepticism on both sides about the maintain “a policy of strategic silence as we’ve discovered natural gas,” he said, and development, an area in which he potential for success. this is not about us.” suggesting Canada, with its energy believes there is tremendous potential. “Eighty per cent of Israelis would like Without mentioning Syria by name, expertise, would be a natural partner in The fourth priority he mentioned is to come to an agreement, but 80 per cent Barak said, “Nobody wants to see a developing the gas reserves. maintaining and enhancing Israel’s are also skeptical that it is possible,” he country where more than 100,000 people Other areas Barak mentioned as having relationship with Jewish communities in said, noting a similar level of desire and have been killed in his neighbourhood,” great potential for Israeli-Canadian Canada, which is “always a priority for the skepticism among Palestinians.